An upscale hotel featuring 153 rooms could be built in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
One of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, announced the signing of the first voco hotel on the Sunshine Coast, partnering with Sydney–based developer Felix Capital, with plans to open voco Maroochydore Sunshine Coast in 2028.
Located at 15 Ocean Street, the hotel would form part of a mixed-use development that could transform the area’s accommodation offering by attracting more domestic and international patronage.
voco Maroochydore could also address the Sunshine Coast’s recent Temporary Local Planning Instrument proposal in response to the need for four and five-star full-service hotels in the region.
An application was lodged for the $100m development on Monday.
It’s expected that the hotel would complement Maroochydore’s entertainment and dining precinct and will help provide the right mix of accommodation options to deliver a successful 2032 Games and support the region’s economy beyond.
Guests would enjoy water views from lifestyle-led and locally-inspired guestrooms, an extensive hospitality offering, and wellness-focused public areas including a picturesque podium-level outdoor pool, spa and sauna.
The hotel’s elevated hospitality proposition would be anchored by a destination focused 140-seat specialty restaurant and 65-seat lobby bar, located on the ground floor with direct pedestrian access to Ocean Street.
In addition, the hotel would cater for corporate and private events, offering more than 510sqm of modern conference and event spaces in a stylish setting.
Included would be a ballroom with the capacity to cater to 250 people, in addition to a 130-seat all day dining restaurant and pool bar that will provide a new and much-needed destination for MICE business and tourism on the Sunshine Coast.
IHG Hotels & Resorts director of development Australasia & Pacific Cameron Burke said the region and the hotel would be a perfect fit.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “The region desperately needs new accommodation product, and hotel developments like voco Maroochydore will play a vital role in stimulating the local economy.
“We are excited to help enhance the enviable coastal lifestyle that Maroochydore locals enjoy, and to be expanding our presence on the Sunshine Coast by bringing our fast-growing voco brand to this key strategic market.
“We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with Felix Capital, and wholly support their vision to vitalise the Sunshine Coast ahead of its regional showcase to the world as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The mixed-use development would also include nine luxury residences which will occupy Levels 10 to 12 above the hotel, however would not form part of the hotel’s operations.
Felix Capital CEO and founder Michael Maroun was delighted with the project.
“I’m thrilled to announce our second strategic partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and see this innovative new hotel project come to life while creating hundreds of new jobs and showcasing the amazing attractions of Maroochydore,” he said.
“The voco brand is a perfect fit for what is set to be a vivid lifestyle destination on the Sunshine Coast, at a time of significant need for new hotels in the region.
“Over the last few months we’ve worked closely with Sunshine Coast Council to ensure our plans for our second hotel in the Sunshine Coast are in accordance with their proposed Temporary Local Planning Instruments by accommodating leisure, corporate and commercial use.
“It’s energising to see that big steps are being made in the right direction for the region’s growth and we’re delighted to be part of its journey.”
An application for a luxury 12-storey development called ‘El Parasol’ was previously lodged for the same site, by Zone Planning Group on behalf of TWM (QLD) Pty Ltd.
It proposed 53 units with two, three or four bedrooms and office and commercial spaces.
Launched in 2018 with the opening of voco Gold Coast in Australia, voco hotels has become the fastest-growing brand within IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Premium collection with properties in 18 countries.
voco Maroochydore is the latest signing in IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Premium portfolio and strengthens the brand’s growth momentum in Australia with five now in the pipeline, including voco Gosford which is set to open in 2025.
This is IHG Hotels & Resorts and Felix Capital’s second partnership, following the announcement in April 2024 of the signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast which plans to open in 2030.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company, with a family of 19 hotel brands. IHG has more than 6500 open hotels in over 100 countries and a development pipeline of over 2200 properties. Felix Capital is an Australian property development group, currently operating in New South Wales and Queensland.
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