Plans lodged for new $4.9m Somni Inn hotel on Queen St at Murwullumbah in Tweed

A thriving Tweed town may soon have a new $4.9 million hotel in the mix, if council gives plans the tick. See what’s in store for Murwillumbah.

An artist impression of the proposed new Somni Inn on Queen St at Murwillumbah.

A thriving Tweed town with an eclectic mix of pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants, some boasting original and restored art deco facades, may soon have a new hotel in the mix.

Murwillumbah company Blankslate acquired the 15 Queen St, Murwillumbah site in April last year for $825,000.

Planners North at Byron Bay has lodged a development application for the proposed Somni Inn with Tweed Shire Council.

The inn will be built here – if given the tick by Tweed council.

Developers have applied for a minor variation to the building height limit for the estimated $4.94 million build – from 12.54 metres to 13.2m.

It comes after the popular Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened in March last year, helping draw more visitors and shire residents to the town.

Plans include the demolition of a former Handyware store building and the construction of the 17-room hotel including a small gallery, reception/lounge areas and a bathhouse.

The hotel site.

DFJ Architects, which is designing the hotel, previously helped revamp Lismore City Hall and worked on 214 Molesworth St, Lismore.

Kate Singleton, Planners North partnership principal, states: “The primary objective is to create a contemporary boutique hotel which provides a unique accommodation experience within the Murwillumbah town centre.”

An artist impression of the proposed Somni Inn.

Located in the designated Murwillumbah Main Street Heritage Conservation Area, the site is surrounded by historic structures, including the former Salvation Army Citadel (1920), amenity block and the Murwillumbah town clock.

The hotel’s ground floor is set to have a courtyard entry, lobby and lounge amenities, a bar, kitchen, street gallery and a shared lounge and dining area. Motor vehicle and bicycle parking has also been outlined.

Plans for the new Somni Inn on Queen Street at Murwillumbah.

Plans show upper floors of the three-level hotel having a lounge, sauna, baths, massage and onsen parlour, as well as the hotel suites. Each room would have a terrace ranging from 5.28 square metres to 17.68 sqm.

A maximum of 36 people would stay in the hotel at any time, the documents state.

The spa and restaurant would only be available for guests, not the general public.

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