A luxury international hotel brand has confirmed its interest in a new boutique hotel proposed for the Sunshine Coast.
The hotel has been earmarked for a 635sqm site overlooking the water at Caloundra, with a development application lodged with Sunshine Coast Council this week.
Marriott International has confirmed its interest in managing and operating the hotel at 31 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach, if the development is approved.
Known as 5IVE Hotel Caloundra, the eight-storey building would include 77 rooms, a rooftop pool area and ground-level cafe.
It would also address council’s recent Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) proposal in response to the need for four- and five-star full-service hotels in the region.
The applicant, 5IVE Co, is seeking a material change of use for a resort complex for the site, which is located within the Caloundra Local Plan Area and the Tourist Accommodation Zone.
A blue two-storey cottage-like dwelling is currently located on the site, which sits between the existing Rumba Resort and Cerculean Apartments. The dwelling would be demolished to make room for the hotel.
In a letter of interest to 5IVE Co, Marriott International’s vice president for hotel development in Australia, Richard Crawford, outlined the company’s intention for a 25-year hotel management agreement.
“We confirm our desire to engage in commercial negotiations,” Mr Crawford’s letter stated.
He said the hotel presented a “rare and compelling” opportunity to bring the brand to the region and address a “well-known deficiency in high-quality modern visitor accommodation”.
“Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with 9000 properties, 30-plus brands and 800,000 people across 141 countries.
“This scale delivers unrivalled opportunities for the hotel investment community and Australia’s Sunshine Coast is a priority market in the context of Marriott’s assertive expansion plans in the Asia Pacific region.”
A development planning report, prepared by Project Urban on behalf of 5IVE Co, stated the hotel was to deliver much-needed accommodation to the “highest architectural standards”.
“The accommodation hotel will assist with satisfying part of the recognised need for hotel accommodation and is entirely consistent with council’s broader Accommodation Hotel Incentives Strategic Policy,” the report outlined.
“The applicant intends that this site is developed to the highest architectural standards, using best-practice approaches in providing an innovative building which is in touch with the essence of Caloundra and its sophisticated beach atmosphere.”
The hotel would include single-room “suites” across seven levels, plus two levels of basement car parking.
The rooftop would include a reception area, pool and outdoor seating.
“The rooftop will have unobstructed view lines and vistas over Bulcock Beach and the passage,” the report said.
“The design is architecturally striking in respect of its form, external material palette and colours.
“External materials and colours draw inspiration from the rocky headlands of Caloundra Headland.”
According to the planning report, an impact assessable application and public notification period is required due to the development exceeding a 15m height limit.
However, the applicant outlined the hotel would be consistent with nearby sites and the draft TLPI.
“The proposal is a medium-rise building and the development is consistent with the range of building heights adjoining and near the site,” it said.
“The draft TLPI provides building height incentives of up to 12m for an accommodation hotel which includes an accommodation hotel rooftop use.
“The proposed development is 27m high and generally complies with the overall cumulative building height incentives identified in the draft TLPI.”
Marriot International declined to provide further comment on the project this time.
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