Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr Nuatali Nelmes, and NRL legend Mark Hughes have joined Quest General Manager – Growth, James Shields, to officially open the company’s second Newcastle property, Quest Newcastle West, at 787 Hunter Street.
Shields said he was delighted to formally open Quest Newcastle West, adding 78 rooms to the New South Wales market.
“We are extremely proud to be officially opening Quest Newcastle West tonight. The brand new premium quality apartment hotel is ideally placed to meet the demands of Newcastle’s growing corporate sector, as the thriving city goes from strength to strength, expecting to provide an additional 10,000 jobs by 2036,” he said.
“Since opening at the beginning of July 2017, Quest Newcastle West has already been experiencing consistently high occupancy rates. I congratulate Quest Newcastle West franchisees Lee and Sheree Bennett and Daniel and Jill Burton on their commendable achievement.
“Sisters Sheree and Jill have gone into business collectively with their husbands, in owning the established Quest Newcastle business, and now taking on the new Quest Newcastle West property, I look forward to a prosperous future for the team at Quest Newcastle West, as it establishes itself within the wider community.”
Nelmes officially welcomed Quest to the area, highlighting the impact Quest Newcastle West will have on the business tourism sector.
“The opening of Quest Newcastle West represents a vote of confidence in Newcastle, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented building boom with over AUD$1 billion of development approved through Newcastle City Council this year alone,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Newcastle West is crucial to the reimagining of the City of Newcastle and this $23 million repurposing of one of Newcastle’s iconic, heritage listed buildings is a sign of the strong growth set to occur throughout the City of Newcastle.”
Quest Newcastle West franchisees Lee and Sheree Bennett and Daniel and Jill Burton, were pleased to officially open the property, part of the Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy, transforming the city centre into a vibrant and innovative regional business hub.
“We are excited to be officially opening Quest Newcastle West today, sharing the experience with many members of the supportive local business community. With Quest Newcastle West being one of several key projects now completed, and other projects underway, the revitalistion of Newcastle’s west end is enhancing Newcastle’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit,” Mr Bennett said.
“The quality of the property is of the highest standard and we are committed to delivering the best possible customer service to ensure each guest has the premium experience they expect from a Quest Apartment Hotel.”
To mark the opening event, the Quest Newcastle West team donated $5,000 to the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF). MHF is a not for profit organisation formed in Newcastle by Mark and Kirralee Hughes following Mark’s diagnosis with brain cancer in 2013. Mark, a well-known and highly respected former Newcastle Knights Rugby League player and business and community identity is undergoing treatment to fight brain cancer. The donated funds will help promote research, raise awareness and support brain cancer patients (children and adults) and their families within the community.
The purpose-built property provides the perfect “home away from home” featuring 78 studio, one, two and three bedroom serviced apartments with kitchen and laundry facilities, separate living/dining area, smart televisions, Wi-Fi, onsite car parking, barbecue area, gymnasium and conference room facilities.
Quest Apartment Hotels has opened eight new properties within the past 12 months including: Quest East Perth, Quest Fremantle (WA), Quest Griffith, Quest Macquarie Park, Quest Newcastle West (NSW), Quest Port Adelaide (SA) Quest Eight Mile Plains (QLD) and Quest Dandenong Central (VIC). The opening of greenfield property Quest Innaloo (WA) is scheduled for later this year.
Pictured above: L-R: Daniel Burton, Jill Burton, Nuatali Nelmes, Mark Hughes, Lee Bennett, Sheree Bennett, James Shields