Robertson Hotel $50 million redevelopment in Southern Highlands approved

A $50 million redevelopment will restore the popular Robertson Hotel to its former glory and add eco-cabins and leisure centre to the sprawling Southern Highlands estate.

The iconic Robertson Hotel has been approved for a $50 million rejuvenation after what the owner described as a “very, very thorough” assessment process with the state and local governments.

The development aims to restore the heritage landmark to its former beauty and add a new four-storey wing to the hotel with 46 new rooms. To capitalise on the natural beauty of the Robertson area, owner Con Kotis also included the creation of 13 new eco-tourist cabins and seven eco-tourist villas located on the sprawling grounds.

The Southern Regional Planning Panel unanimously approved the redevelopment on Monday after a year and a half of consideration. In its determination, the panel noted the concerns of community members about the biodiversity, noise, heritage, and water impacts had been sufficiently addressed by the conditions imposed on the development.

Southern Highlands landmark The Robertson Hotel has been approved for a $50 million redevelopment.

Mr Kotis said he was delighted the development has been given the green light.

“We’re very happy with it,” he said.

“It’s something we’re really proud of because it’s going to be something that future generations can enjoy and visit.”

Mr Kotis said he was inspired to create sustainable tourist accommodation in the region and to highlight the heritage value of the region when he bought The Robertson Hotel.

“It’s a magical location with mature trees and rainforest, it’s a perfect setting for a modern eco resort and a perfect NSW regional getaway,” he said.

“We want to restore and enhance the existing building’s old-world charm and create a range of new modern accommodation choices and be a world class destination.”

According to the hotelier, the development will create 250 new “clean jobs” and will continue to create jobs “for the next hundred years”.

President of the Robertson Chamber of Commerce, Tim Hewitt, said the approval heralds an exciting time for the town.

The Robertson Hotel redevelopment will improve its heritage features.

“The business chamber is very supportive of it because it’s going to put Robertson on the map,” he said.

“It’ll be a great employer long term and probably provide a lot of training opportunities as well”.

Especially given the difficult past few years for small businesses and tourism, Mr Hewitt said the attraction of a grand heritage hotel, usually found only near cities, will be lucrative for the region.

“It’s going to bring a lot of tourists to the town and that can only be a good thing,” he said.

Mr Hewitt said he was impressed with the “huge amount of effort” by The Robertson Hotel team to preserve the heritage of the “local landmark” and the surrounding lush vegetation.

As well as the increased accommodation, the redevelopment will create a 300-person conference centre, an “artist-in-residence” studio, a small amphitheatre, and an on-site museum to inform visitors about its rich history. There will even be a petting zoo for children to enjoy.

However, one of the highlights for locals is a luxurious leisure centre with indoor spas, treatment rooms, a gym, and a pool. Mr Kotis said the local residents would be welcome to use the pool, especially as the community-funded local pool has not materialised.

As a proud Robertson resident, Mr Hewitt said he relished what the prestige the development will bring to the town to set it apart from the rest of the Southern Highlands.

“I think it’s something Robertson will have that Mittagong and Bowral and Moss Vale won’t have, for a change,” he said.

Mr Hewitt said the multimillion dollar hotel overhaul could provide a venue for music and events in the future.

“It could become the cultural hub for the Southern Highlands,” he said.

Mr Kotis said initial works will focus on restoring the former beauty of the heritage building once known as Ranelegh as well as “creating heritage and high end” bathrooms in the main hotel building.

A statement from The Robertson Hotel assures guests the development will be staged so hotel operations can continue without any disruption to guests.

The owners are aiming to complete the development works in time to celebrate the centenary anniversary of The Robertson Hotel in 2024, by which time the hotel will be a “world class resort”.