The redeveloped Holiday Inn Perth City Centre has been officially opened by Western Australian Premier and Minister for Tourism, Colin Barnett.
In his remarks, the Premier said the Holiday Inn Perth City Centre has been an important part of the city’s hotel offering since the late 1970s and the $25 million refurbishment of this property was a vote of confidence by the hotel’s owners in the Perth hotel market and the West Australian tourism industry.
Managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the hotel is owned by partners, George Atzemis and Con Berbatis.
Works commenced in January 2015 and the re-opening marked the conclusion of the eighteen month redevelopment program, which included 181 guest rooms, an additional five new guest rooms, the ground floor lobby, façade and spectacular canopy.
“We are excited to offer a range of room styles across the Superior, Deluxe and Executive categories,” said Holiday Inn Perth City Centre General Manager, Deane Palmer.
It also showcased the unveiling of the unique and contemporary concept venue, Ivy and Jack restaurant and bar. ‘For Love of Ivy’ was the name of the first film to premiere in 1969 in the well-known Town Cinema that operated from the site and the lead characters in this movie were named Ivy and Jack, hence the name given to the venue.
“We have invested around $25million into the hotel including Ivy and Jack as a big vote of confidence in the future growth potential of Perth tourism,” Atzemis said.
“It is exciting for tourism in WA to have the Premier take the tourism portfolio under his own control. We look forward to the resultant tourism marketing push.”
The redevelopment raises the Holiday Inn brand and experience in Perth to a new level, with each of the 186 guest rooms offering a different combination of colours, fabrics, furniture and artwork all derived from a central complementary palette of colours. The rooms are vibrant and comfortable whilst ensuite upgrades boast style and functionality.
Berbatis said that Ivy and Jack was a full public access facility and that he was delighted to increase the tourist and general public amenity of the Hay Street precinct which will also soon see the AUD$70m redevelopment of the InterContinental Hotel open.
IHG’s COO Australasia and Japan, Karin Sheppard, said: “We have been proud members and active participants in the Western Australian tourism industry for many years. We have a commitment to the region so it is a pleasure working with George and Con to bring this investment to life.
“We’re excited about the future of tourism in the region and with the unveiling of this landmark renovation at Holiday Inn Perth City Centre, plus our InterContinental Perth project that is well underway nearby, the Perth CBD precinct has its best days ahead.”
The redevelopment project was directed by Jaxon Construction with architectural services provided by Bollig Design Group.