Mark Hodge has been hired by The Star Entertainment Group to oversee the ongoing development and integration of new towers and operational procedures at the company’s growing Gold Coast site.
Hodge, who joins The Star Gold Coast as its new General Manager for Hotels and Residences, brings three decades of industry experience to his new role, including the last 15 with Mantra Group and Accor’s Apartments and Leases portfolio. In this role, Hodge led more than 5,000 team members across 140 properties. He is currently the Director of Destination Gold Coast and the Chairman of the Accommodation Association’s Queensland State Advisory Board.
In his new role at The Star Gold Coast, Hodge will oversee the property’s two existing hotels in The Star Grand and The Darling, while playing a key role in the operational protocols for the site’s two new towers, the first of which is less than a year from completion and will see the Australian debut of The Dorsett brand in early 2022. He will also develop operations for the management of the property’s short-stay apartment pool.
The operation of The Dorsett and an as-yet-unnamed management brand for a fourth tower currently under construction forms part of The Star’s AUD$2 billion Master Plan, which is being implemented in conjunction with its development partners, Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium. This plan includes provision and potential for a further three towers and resort amenities which are yet to be confirmed and announced.
Hodge will oversee nearly 900 one, two and three-bedroom apartments under The Star Residences Gold Coast, with 422 to be added with the opening of The Dorsett and another 457 coming on completion of the fourth tower.
“The Star Gold Coast has undergone a stunning makeover and still has an incredible pipeline of tourism and hospitality infrastructure coming, and at a size and quality that we have seen globally in places like Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, but never before on the Gold Coast,” Hodge said.
“The new short stay holiday letting program will enable our guests to immerse in all the comforts of luxurious apartment living for the first time when they book their trip or holiday, as well as enjoy the property’s diverse range of amenities, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.”
The Star Gold Coast Chief Operating Officer, Jessica Mellor, said she was pleased to welcome Mark to the team as the next step in its growth strategy.
“Having lived on the Gold Coast for the past 15 years where he oversaw 26 resorts and hotels, Mark is a proud local and comes with an intimate knowledge of our stunning city, while providing extensive managerial experience in hotel operations including both strata and typical hotel ownership models,” Mellor said.
“In addition to managing The Star Grand and The Darling, Mark will lead us through the introduction and management of apartment accommodation on the island for the first time through our two new hotel and apartment towers currently underway.”