Wyndham chosen to operate luxury new King William Street hotel

The former Adelaide Metro information centre on King William Street is set to be transformed into a new $150m hotel.

Global hotel group Wyndham will operate a new luxury hotel in the heart of Adelaide as part of a $150m tower development.

Wyndham Grand Adelaide, to be built at the former Adelaide Metro information centre site on the corner of King William and Currie streets, will include 347 rooms, an infinity pool, day spa, fitness centre, rooftop restaurant and sky bar facing the Adelaide Hills.

At 34 storeys, or 120 metres, it will become one of the city’s tallest hotels, and the first Wyndham Grand branded hotel in Australia.

Artist's impression of the Wyndham Grand hotel planned for the corner of King William and Currie streets, Adelaide. Supplied by Wyndham Hotels

Artist's impression of the Wyndham Grand hotel on the corner of King William and Currie streets, Adelaide. Supplied by Wyndham Hotels

Demolition of the former Adelaide Metro building is expected to commence in the second half of next year, with the hotel planned to open in 2024.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific president Joon Aun Ooi said the “upper-upscale” hotel would feature a modern interior design with green walls, marble fixtures and plush furnishings, while floor-to-ceiling windows would offer views across the city.

“The South Australian capital has been experiencing a surge of investment, with new infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Adelaide Airport, the revamp of the Adelaide Oval, and now, the creation of one of the city’s tallest hotels,” he said.

“Wyndham Grand is known for its iconic locations, so I can think of no better way to introduce the brand to Australia.”

In 2018 the State Commission Assessment Panel approved plans for a 132 metre tower at the site, initially designed to incorporate a hotel, apartments, retail outlets and offices.

Architect and development manager Guava Lime later completed a redesign of the project, removing the apartments, offices and retail components.

“We did a complete review of the building late last year and that review centred around the pre-sale of apartments and also how it might work as a mixed-use building versus a pure hotel,” Guava Lime director Michael Loucas said.

“The building is a much more simple proposition now and it won’t get caught up in things such as pre-sales or pre-leasing which is notoriously hard with offices – it takes out the risk.”

Mr Loucas dismissed any concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel given it would be close to four years before the hotel’s opening.

“We’re finding more forward thinking clients are thinking beyond the current narrative and looking to the future.”

Developer, Sydney-based Equinox Property, said the Wyndham Grand brand was the “perfect fit” for the development.

“With its prime position and impressive stature, this hotel will become a new symbol of prosperity for the city of Adelaide.”