It's confirmed, our favourite regional city Newcastle is set to get a new 5 star hotel!
Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts has won the tender to acquire Newcastle's iconic 'Roundhouse' Council Administrative Centre and intends to convert the building into a luxury five-star hotel, ready to open in late 2020.
The hotel is to be called Kingsley, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel. The name follows a Crystalbrook Collection naming convention where each of their hotels is given a gender-neutral name and its own unique personality. Fun fact: The name Kingsley is a nod to Newcastle's heritage and the city's earlier name Kingstown dating back to 1804.
This will be the first five-star hotel for the city of Newcastle. Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie said he was thrilled with the result of the tender: "There's really nothing like this building, it has a strong identity and connection to the city of Newcastle. I see a lot of potential.
"We think the location, with the City Hall, the Civic Theatre, the Art Gallery and the War Memorial Cultural Centre right on the doorstep, makes it a perfect location for a five-star hotel."
Mr Davie said he had been watching Newcastle's growth in recent years and felt strongly that Crystalbrook Collection should become a contributor to the future growth of the city.
Initial studies indicated the 'Roundhouse' could accommodate at least 100 five-star hotel rooms. Initial plans developed by Newcastle's Barney Collins of EJE Architecture also show the introduction of a rooftop restaurant and recreational area complete with a swimming pool.
This news comes on the back of massive expansion plans by Crystalbrook Collection with over $800 million worth of developments including six luxury 5 star hotels currently operating or under development across Australia. Crystalbrook Collection has recently opened Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort in Cairns (coming to alluxia soon), and acquired Little Albion, a Crystalbrook Collection Boutique Hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney.
Have you been to Newcastle lately? Would this new development encourage you to book a weekend getaway to Newcastle? Check out our handpicked collection of Newcastle hotels and holiday houses here.
