Construction of the new 4.5-star Novotel Brisbane South Bank commenced this week (28 Sep) following a first turning of the sod ceremony onsite with Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Queensland Real Estate Developer Kinstone Development Group and representatives from operator, AccorHotels.
The new-build 238-room Novotel Brisbane South Bank, with an expected completion date in late 2018, represents an investment of more than $70 million. The hotel is located directly across the road from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Cordelia Street, with direct pedestrian access connecting the hotel with the Centre.
The project is expected to create 250 jobs during the construction phase, and employ more than 100 people ongoing when open.
AccorHotels Chief Operating Officer – Pacific, Simon McGrath said: “It an exciting day and we congratulate all parties involved in this landmark project as it moves a step closer to its completion.
“We’re pleased to have formed an important, strategic partnership with Kinstone Developments Group at this prime address on Brisbane’s South Bank, and we’re confident that this project will help further increase the city’s capacity to attract important events, conferences and exhibitions to the destination.
“With around 24 per cent of the worldwide Novotel network located in the Asia Pacific region, Novotel Brisbane South Bank is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the brand’s growing presence backed by AccorHotels powerful global distribution and digital platforms and a rapidly expanding loyalty program.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Novotel Brisbane South Bank would enhance Brisbane’s vibrant New World City image, adding vital accommodation to one of Brisbane’s premier recreation, events and conference precincts.
“Brisbane attracted a record 1.169 million international visitors last year, also attracting a record increase in domestic holiday visitors over the same period,” Cr Quirk said.
“In addition to this, conferences and business events are worth around $391 million in economic impact to Brisbane, demonstrating the importance of accommodation options in the city.
“Investment in accommodation such as the new Novotel hotel will further increase the capacity for Brisbane to attract significant events, conferences and exhibitions and cater to the domestic and international travel markets to drive the local visitor economy,” he said.
Representing Kinstone Developments Group, Arthur Liu said, “South Bank is undoubtedly one of the River City’s most loved places, and this new Novotel will help play a crucial role in winning major conferences and events for Brisbane, as the city competes with destinations in Asia and interstate.
“We are delighted to work with AccorHotels on providing business and leisure travellers with the first internationally branded hotel in the South Bank precinct, and believe that when the Novotel opens in 2018 it will further enhance international and domestic travellers’ Brisbane experience, whether they come for conferences, exhibitions, plays, opera, or concerts.”
Liu migrated to Brisbane from Taiwan with his family as a child, after his parents visited Australia and inspired to move to Brisbane after experiencing World Expo ’88 at South Bank. Now, 28 years later, his family’s passion for the destination has come full circle with him now personally investing in tourism and industry in his adopted hometown with the new Novotel Brisbane South Bank.
In homage to his cultural roots, a traditional Buddhist Purifying Ceremony took place prior to the sod-turning ceremony today attended by more than 100 people, including members from Buddha’s Light International Association. This cultural ceremony was held to mark the occasion for his business partners and the community, and to bring the project “good luck”.
When finished, new Novotel Brisbane South Bank will feature two meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant and bar as well as on-site car parking.
Rooms will incorporate the new global Novotel ‘N Room’ design as well as Novotel Gourmet Bar and Food Exchange concept. The hotel will encompass Novotel brand identifiers including Live N’ Dream bedding, interactive TV’s and FairTrade bathroom amenities, and free barista coffee at breakfast.