Prime Constructions (Aust Pty Ltd) named as builder of Townsville’s $50m Hilton Garden Inn

A NQ company will ‘seamlessly’ transition from a key Townsville construction project into building the long-awaited $50m Hilton Garden Inn. Get the latest timeline.

Harnessing its success in delivering Townsville’s first five star hotel, Ardo, a Cairns-based construction company will “seamlessly” redeploy its resources to begin building the $50m Hilton Garden Inn project before the end of the year.

Following a rigorous selection process, Prime Constructions (Aust Pty Ltd) was given the nod to construct the long-awaited, “upscale” $50m hotel next to Queensland Country Bank Stadium, which will feature eight stories, 191-rooms, and 94 car parks.

Preliminary and “in ground works” will begin before the end of the year, with construction to be completed by the third quarter of 2025, and first guests welcomed in September/ October 2025.

Speaking on behalf of project proponent HHNQ, Director Michael Graham said they were excited to partner with Prime, especially after the company delivered three “landmark” properties for Cairns, and successfully navigated a challenging construction environment to keep the $88m Ardo project on schedule.

“They carry significant construction pedigree in the hotel sector which was a major factor in us deciding on Prime,” Mr Graham said.

Focus Pacific chief executive Michael Graham and Carey Group chief executive Matt Thomson at the site of the future Hilton Garden Inn, next to Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Gallery: Inside Townsville’s new Hilton Garden Inn project

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“We’ve had the benefit of reviewing Ardo’s construction program, looking at the inside of the building as its been built, and the feedback we’ve received not just from the owner of the hotel, but also the trades and suppliers involved, tells us Prime understands what’s required for the Hilton Garden Inn.

“They’ve been incredibly complimentary about Prime as a construction partner.”

Prime’s ability to leverage resources already mobilised for the Ardo and “seamlessly” shift them across to the Hilton project, weighed strongly in the company’s favour.

In recent months, Mr Graham and Carey Group chief executive Matt Thomson have worked hard to square away the capital injection for the project, bring Hilton officially on-board, and finalise the construction program and licence agreement with Townsville City Council.

“We’ve literally taken control of the site from the council in recent days, so it’s a significant milestone for the project,” he said.

Location for the new Hilton Garden Inn. Picture: Google Maps.

Focus Pacific chief executive Michael Graham and Carey Group chief executive Matt Thomson have worked hard to deliver the Hilton Garden Inn project. Picture: Leighton Smith

“Hilton have sat on the outside giving a lot of advice as to what they need, what they require to achieve a Hilton Garden Inn sign off (and) now they’re actually in the tent with us, telling us … what we should be trying to deliver in the hotel itself.”

He said Hilton was closely monitoring accommodation trends in Townsville, concluding that it was “going to be on an upward curve for some time to come”, as the hotel aimed to capture a slice of the business, events, and tourism markets.

Featuring a “very different hotel model” the hotel wouldn’t offer mini bars or room service, with guests instead encouraged to use an in-house 24hr general store (where alcohol could be purchased), the in-house restaurant, or food delivery services.

An artist’s impression of the Hilton Garden Inn’s restaurant design. Picture: Supplied.

An artist’s impression of a standard room at the Hilton Garden Inn. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Thomson said the project’s investor group was attracted to Prime by its ability to mobilise quickly, its close ties to North Queensland and its propensity to use local trades and suppliers where possible,” Mr Thomson said.

“The timing works perfectly, that Ardo’s concluding and … they’ll demobilise and mobilise almost in one seamless exercise,”

An updated plan for Townsville’s Hilton Garden Inn. Picture: Supplied.

An artist’s impression of the exterior of the Townsville Hilton Garden Inn. Picture: Supplied.

“That ultimately means you’ve got a proven team, that’s here already, understands the local subcontractor market in Townsville, and the supply market, that has the infrastructure ready to go, and that has just delivered a very significant and iconic Townsville asset.”

A Townsville City Council spokesman said the council was looking forward to work starting on the Hilton Garden Inn development.

“Council has been working closely with the project developer, and their development approvals are in place for work to begin,” he said.

Prime Constructions were approached for comment.

Originally published as Prime Constructions (Aust Pty Ltd) named as builder of Townsville’s $50m Hilton Garden Inn