$84m Nexus Barossa hotel expands by 20 rooms, two storeys under new plans

The plan was to build a “truly iconic” hotel for the Barossa – now developers have decided to make it even bigger and better.

An $84m luxury Barossa hotel designed to be an “exemplary” tourist attraction will rise to two storeys, expand its rooms and double its restaurant.

Under changes brought on by rising construction costs, the Nexus Barossa hotel – which features a stunning circular design, luxury suites, day spa and infinity pool – would actually shrink its building size but rise to two storeys.

Announced in 2021, the Lyndoch hotel already has planning approval for the site, which is currently home to Barossa Pavilions – six self-contained villas on a 75-acre property and the multi-award winning Barossa Glasshouse, available to hire for $2200 for two nights.

Artist impression of the approved Nexus Barossa hotel, which would be expanded under resubmitted plans. Picture: Brown Falconer

The ‘Glasshouse’ on the site now. Picture: Brown Falconer

The infinity pool, which would branch out from the Glasshouse. Picture: Brown Falconer

Nexus Barossa would encircle the Glasshouse, which would be turned into a conference room and cocktail lounge in the centre of the stunning hotel’s north and south wings, while the infinity pool would offer gorgeous views out over the Barossa.

From the air the hotel resembles Darth Vader’s iconic TIE Fighter spaceship.

Under new plans now on public display, the hotel would increase by 22 rooms to 102, there would be 14 luxury suites instead of 12, the function space would rise from 75 seats to 160 and the restaurant would double to 176 seats.

The gym and day spa would increase slightly in size.

Developer and local Karl Roth said the changes in the plans weren’t just about finding construction efficiencies.

“It’s about operational efficiencies too, so if we pull that building back further it’s not as long runs for cleaning of the rooms – we cut some operational expenses,” Mr Roth said.

He said with rising construction costs, making any project feasible was a challenge across Australia right now.

Artist impression of the approved Nexus Barossa hotel, which would be expanded under resubmitted plans. Picture: Brown Falconer

Artist impression of Nexus Barossa’s infinity pool. Picture: Brown Falconer

“Part of our variation is to find construction efficiencies in the build and the sweet spot of room numbers for the site for what we think works there,” Mr Roth said.

Mr Roth said the project was “pretty well construction ready” and aimed to break ground in the first few months of next year.

“We’re very much more advanced than other projects in the Barossa,” he said.

“We have an international hotel operator on board and the builder’s pretty well locked away – a South Australian company – so we can start turning first thing early next year.”

With its circular wings surrounding the Glasshouse on the crest of a hill, Mr Roth’s plan was to create a “truly iconic” hotel for the Barossa.

“As a sixth-generation local, the right design is forefront of my mind – my heart in the Barossa,” he said.

Artist impression of the approved Nexus Barossa hotel, which would be expanded under resubmitted plans. Picture: Brown Falconer

“My driving factor behind finding this site, this design is to truly create something iconic – not just because it’s in the Barossa, but an iconic hotel that everyone recognises and has to get to and stay at.

“For me, it’s how to get people to come back. We have 850,000 day trips a day, why aren’t people staying here? It’s because our accommodation isn’t up the scratch, it’s not what they are looking for.

The Nexus Barossa’s infinity pool. Picture: Brown Falconer

Artist impression of the luxury suites at the Nexus Barossa hotel. Picture: Brown Falconer

Artist impression of the approved Nexus Hotel at the Barossa, which would be expanded under resubmitted plans. Picture: Brown Falconer

“If we can get them here once, how can we get them again?”

He said the location of Nexus Barossa was perfectly placed to allow people daytrips around the state – to the Clare Valley, the Flinders, or even further – and back in time to relax on their room’s deck.

“If people come back, our stats show they stay four, five six nights. So I want them to see the best of the state. I want our staff to say, have you been to the Eyre Peninsula, have you been to the Flinders. I want to share it all around.”

Several hotels are planned for the Barossa, with another five-star, 150-room hotel between Williamstown and Lyndoch announced on Sunday.

SANFL legend-turned developer Neville Roberts wants to build a 100-room, 24-hour hotel at Sandy Creek Golf Club.

Meanwhile, the $100m Oscar – the controversial hotel also known as the Slug – will be finished in about two years.

Public submissions close August 13.

Originally published as $84m Nexus Barossa hotel expands by 20 rooms, two storeys under new plans