A new hotel featuring 180 guest rooms is set to open by 2028 after the Sunshine Coast Council approved the $150 million Crowne Plaza project. The construction will commence in April on Ocean Street, Maroochydore, following last week’s development application approval.
The hotel will boast 180 guest rooms and over 900 square meters of meeting and event space, including a 600-square-meter ballroom. The development will also include the AER Residence, featuring 24 two- and three-bedroom apartments spread across four floors above the hotel.
Innovative Facilities and Community Impact
The Crowne Plaza will offer an array of facilities, including a 30-meter pool, spa, gym, sauna, and secure basement parking over two levels. Dining options will include an all-day restaurant, a 160-seat signature dining venue, an outdoor pool bar, and a lobby bar.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli emphasized the project’s significance to the region’s tourism and business sectors. “This is the second hotel to be approved under the Sunshine Coast Council’s Accommodation Hotel Incentive Measures, reaffirming our commitment to address the shortfall in hotel rooms,” she stated.
“The Sunshine Coast requires more than 2400 additional hotel rooms, or around 10 new hotels, to support our tourism industry into the future,”
Natoli added, highlighting the council’s proactive measures to stimulate development. “Crowne Plaza ticks every box in terms of providing important tourism infrastructure to boost our region’s appeal as a year-round destination.”
Developer and Design Insights
Felix Capital director Michael Maroun commended the council for its support during the approval process, ensuring no delays. “This is an incredible announcement for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast,” he said, noting the hotel’s dual focus on leisure and business tourism accommodation.
The apartments, designed by the award-winning architectural and interior design firm DBI, range from 110 to 280 square meters. “Each unit is designed to include a seamless layout,” Maroun explained, adding that Niall Molloy from Ray White Maroochydore has been appointed as the apartment sales agent.
“We have already fielded inquiries following the development application announcement in August and expect continued interest as the marketing campaign ramps up,”
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The site was previously slated for the voco Maroochydore, a project proposed by Felix Capital and Crowne Plaza owner IHG Hotels and Resorts in 2024. This Maroochydore project marks the second collaboration between IHG and Felix Capital, following the Holiday Inn and Suites Caloundra, set to open in 2030.
The Crowne Plaza development is part of a broader strategy to enhance the Sunshine Coast’s tourism infrastructure. The council’s incentives are designed to attract investment and address the region’s accommodation shortfall.
Apartments in the AER Residence will start from $1.85 million, reflecting the premium nature of the development. As construction begins in April, the project is poised to transform Maroochydore’s skyline and bolster its status as a vibrant tourist destination.
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