Minor Hotels will open its first Australian Avani-branded hotel ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games.
Thailand-based Minor Hotels will open its first Australian Avani-branded hotel on the Gold Coast ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games.
The Beach Apartments will be managed by the international hospitality operator — which also operates The Oaks Hotels and Resorts, and Anantara brands — as Avani Broadbeach Residences.
Construction of the high-rise in Broadbeach is nearing completion by Multiplex and this week topped out at 35 storeys.
Developed by the Anthony Moreton Group and Pryde Group, the 219-unit complex is 95 per cent sold.
Avani Broadbeach Residences hotel manager Brett Hohn said the accommodation was expected to open for trade over the summer holidays, in the lead-up to the Gold Coast’s April 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“We are anticipating a high occupancy rate not only during the Commonwealth Games but all year round due to the property’s premier location,” he said. “The Avani brand has an excellent reputation internationally and as such we expect Avani Broadbeach Residences will be highly sought after by holiday-makers, which is another great vote of confidence for investors.”
The Gold Coast has been buoyed as the nation’s fastest-growing regional area with a surge in tourism numbers, swelling development and infrastructure upgrades ahead of the Games.
Anthony Moreton Group chief executive Tony Hazell said Broadbeach would become “centre stage” of the Gold Coast, following $1.5 billion in investment.
The Star casino is undergoing an $850 million upgrade including an apartment high-rise, casino expansion and 80-room five-star hotel expansion, while a $670m overhaul of the Pacific Fair shopping centre was recently completed.
“The Beach Apartments is also the only new residential high-rise property to be delivered and operational prior to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and is therefore assured of being solidly booked from the first day of opening,” he said.
CBRE this week reported Gold Coast hotel occupancy rates had fallen to 71.5 per cent but there were strong increases in room rates. It said the decline in occupancy was expected to be short-lived ahead of the Games.
An expected 11 per cent stock boost is expected by 2020 with the opening of Jewel’s Wanda Vista 171-room hotel late next year.
Aquis Entertainment has also applied to build a five-star 580-room five-star resort, to open in the summer of 2019.
