30 Sep 2016
The construction of the new 4.5 star Novotel Brisbane South Bank has commenced 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.
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.”
Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels 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.”
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.”
Hotel owner/developer Arthur 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 home town 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.
Novotel is the heritage brand of AccorHotels in Australia since the opening of the first flagship hotel - Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour in 1991. In 25 years, the brand has achieved extraordinary growth and now boasts a portfolio of 29 hotels (5,639 rooms) across the country.
The new Novotel Brisbane South Bank will complement the existing Novotel Brisbane and Novotel Brisbane Airport hotels in the city, and join the brand's established global network of over 450 hotels and resorts in 61 countries. For more, visit www.accorhotels.com
ENDS
AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,500 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator through its HotelServices and HotelInvest divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, SO Sofitel, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the in-demand economy brands including ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1.
With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 240,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world's most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels.
AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth.
Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States.
For more information and reservations visit accorhotels.group or accorhotels.com.
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ABOUT NOVOTEL
Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts provide a multi-service offer for both business and leisure guests, with spacious, modular rooms, 24/7 catering offers with balanced meals, meeting rooms, attentive and proactive staff, kid areas, a multi-purpose lobby and fitness centers. Through PLANET 21, AccorHotels' sustainable development program, Novotel commits to Man and the Planet. Novotel has over 450 hotels and resorts in 61 countries, ideally located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations.
novotel.com| accorhotels.com
ABOUT KINSTONE DEVELOPMENTS
Kinstone Developments Group was founded in 2004 by a group of Taiwanese immigrants. The group started with subdivision projects in the southern part of Brisbane. After completing several successful subdivision projects, Kinstone started to develop town houses, apartments, and mix-use buildings. At the moment, there are around 100 subdivision lots, over 100 townhouses and over 200 apartments in the pipeline. Kinstone is currently constructing its first hotel project with the new 4.5 star Novotel Brisbane South Bank hotel project.
Media Contact
Rebecca Astier
+61 0417 667 042
www.twitter.com/accorhotelsgroup | www.accorhotels-group.com
