Cairns: Benny Wu plans retirement facility development for Acacia Court Hotel
A major shake-up is planned on the Cairns Esplanade with a high-profile Hong Kong businessman unveiling a new vision to transform a hotel — and not everyone will be happy.
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A VERTICAL retirement facility is planned for the Cairns Esplanade with a high-profile Hong Kong businessman hoping to turn an underused hotel into a big-bucks aged care operation.
Benny Wu has a formidable Far North property empire to his name with Double Island, Acacia Court Hotel, Whitfield House and multiple other premises on the books.
Earlier this month he added the prestigious 21 Knott Ct mansion in Mount Whitfield to his portfolio for a $5 million-plus price tag.
The absence of international travel has taken a significant toll on the Acacia Court Hotel with patronage dwindling — and it was on the slide even before COVID-19 hit if a slew of negative reviews on TripAdvisor are to be believed.
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Mr Wu has now submitted a development application through his Best Beach Resort Pty Ltd business to transform the building’s use.
The document outlines a plan to convert the bottom five four storeys to a 67-room retirement facility, with the top floor also set aside for communal-use rooms containing “various games, and health and fitness activities” such as yoga and massage.
The remaining levels of the 10-floor tower would remain for short-term accommodation.
“Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and a desire to diversify their accommodation offering, the operator will be seeking approval for the conversion …” the plan states.
“After approval the rooms will be subdivided via a building format plan to allow rooms to be bought and sold.”
No major changes to the existing floor plan are planned, but retirees will have access to cleaning services, small convenience store for everyday items, shuttle bus to the CBD, tennis court and all hotel facilities such as the Charlie’s on the Esplanade restaurant and a bottle shop.
“The shuttle bus and easy access to bus stops will make up for the small anticipated shortfall in parking supply under the parking provisions,” the application states.
“The convenience store on site will also provide everyday items for residents such as health, beauty and packaged food.
“The use of the retirement facility rooms will effectively be the same as under short-term accommodation use and there will be no noticeable amenity impacts to surrounding areas.”
The new plan pours cold water on Mr Wu’s previous $80 million redevelopment proposal for Acacia Court.
That plan, approved in 2015, involved increasing room numbers from 136 to 407 and boosting the building height from 10 storeys (34m) to 13 storeys (43m).
Originally published as Cairns: Benny Wu plans retirement facility development for Acacia Court Hotel
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