A new hotel with 180 guest rooms could be operating by 2028 after the Sunshine Coast Council gave the green light for the project. The construction of the $150 million Crowne Plaza on Ocean Street in Maroochydore will commence in April following the approval of a development application last week.
The hotel will include 180 guest rooms alongside more than 900sqm of meeting and event space, including a 600sqm ballroom. Part of the development will be the AER Residence, which will feature 24 two- and three-bedroom apartments over four floors atop the hotel. Hotel facilities will include a 30-metre pool and spa, gym, sauna, and secure basement parking across two levels. It will also include an all-day restaurant and a 160-seat signature dining venue, as well as an outdoor pool bar and lounge alongside a lobby bar.
Boosting the Region’s Tourism Sector
Mayor Rosanna Natoli emphasized the significance of the Crowne Plaza in bolstering the region’s tourism and business sector. “This is the second hotel to be approved under the Sunshine Coast Council’s Accommodation Hotel Incentive Measures, and it reaffirms our commitment to address a major shortfall in hotel rooms,” she said.
“The Sunshine Coast requires more than 2400 additional hotel rooms, or around 10 new hotels, to support our tourism industry into the future. Council took a bold step to create incentives, and it is having an impact.”
Mayor Natoli added that the Crowne Plaza ticks every box in terms of providing important tourism infrastructure to boost the region’s appeal as a year-round destination, expressing anticipation for the construction to commence in April next year.
Community and Developer Reactions
Felix Capital director Michael Maroun praised the council for its support during the approval process, ensuring there were no delays. “This is an incredible announcement for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast. Crowne Plaza will provide much-needed leisure and business tourism accommodation as well as community entertainment facilities for the region when it opens in 2028,” he said.
Maroun highlighted the design of the apartments by the multi-award-winning architectural and interior design firm DBI, noting that each unit is designed to include a seamless layout with sizes varying from 110sqm to 280sqm. He also mentioned that Niall Molloy from Ray White Maroochydore has been engaged as the apartment sales agent on this project, with inquiries already coming in following the development application announcement in August.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The site was previously earmarked for voco Maroochydore, which was pitched by Felix Capital and Crowne Plaza owner IHG Hotels and Resorts in 2024. The Maroochydore project marks the second collaboration between IHG and Felix Capital, following the Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra, which is due to open in 2030 and was the first hotel approved under the council’s incentives package.
Apartments in the AER Residence will start from $1.85 million, reflecting the premium nature of the development and the growing demand for high-quality accommodation in the region.
As the Sunshine Coast continues to develop its tourism infrastructure, the Crowne Plaza project represents a significant step forward in meeting the region’s accommodation needs and enhancing its attractiveness as a destination. The project is expected to create jobs, boost local businesses, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
With construction set to begin in April, the community and stakeholders eagerly await the transformation of Ocean Street into a vibrant hub of hospitality and entertainment, further solidifying the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.
