Hotels planned for CBD as developers fill gap in Wollongong accommodation

An upscale hotel proposed for Wollongong is the latest in a string of developments set to shake up accommodation in the CBD.

The hotel proposed for Burelli Street, Wollongong. Picture: supplied

Worth more than $40 million, a hotel planned for the Wollongong CBD is the latest in a string of developments set to alleviate the growing demand for accommodation in the city, as major events make their way to the Illawarra.

On Monday, a development application for the proposed construction of a new 4.5 star hotel at 37-39 Burelli Street, went on public exhibition with Wollongong Council.

What ir could look like ... artist’s impressions of the proposed hotel.

According to developers, the proposed 14-storey hotel would incorporate 241 rooms or suites for hotel guests; groundfloor pedestrian entry to the lobby, and a food and beverage area accessible to the public, private dining and meeting rooms as well as a gym.
The proposed hotel is earmarked for a vacant site, formerly a car yard, on the corner of Burelli and Corrimal streets, which developer HELD Property, said would “benefit” the CBD and assist in the “under-supply” of hotel accommodation.

“With its proximity to the council building, library, theatre and even WIN Stadium, the proposal has great potential to enhance Wollongong’s cultural life with a high-quality hotel development,” the proposal read.

Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh agreed it was a great location for a hotel, given its proximity to the entertainment precinct and the city’s iconic beaches.

A restaurant bar is proposed for the hotel. Picture: supplied

“In order to make these hotels viable, the next piece of the puzzle is developing the attractors to bring visitors to Wollongong, like upgrading the entertainment centre,” he said.

“These things take time, but the best thing for the local economy is to get these projects started, the sooner the better.”

The hotel is one of two others proposed for the CBD, and with a combined total value of more than $120 million, the three hotels could bring an additional 450 extra rooms to the city.

Last month, the state’s Southern Regional Planning Panel approved a $41 million hotel plan for the corner of Gladstone Ave and Crown Street, which was lodged with Wollongong City Council in mid-2020.

An artist impression of the recently-approved Crown Street hotel. Picture: Design Workshop Australia

Meantime, construction was started on a $43 million hotel in Young Street, which will have 46 residential apartments, as well as a communal rooftop area, and three food and drink premises plus a restaurant at street level.

With the UCI Road World Championships set to take place in Wollongong in September 2022, Mr Sleigh said it was good to see further plans for hotels pop up in the city, with more international events hoped for the region in the future.

“The Burelli Street hotel plans show a great sign of confidence in the Illawarra,” he said.

“And the demand for accommodation justifies further investment in hotel stock, but what’s important to take into consideration is the time frame to when they finally open the doors, it’s not going to happen in the next six months, it’ll be a couple of years, but that will give time for visitors to get back after the pandemic.”

“The UCI will become a reality in 2022 and we would certainly like to see the events calendar grow, we don’t see that event as being the end of the campaign for Wollongong, it’s the start,” he said.

As well as bringing more visitors to the city, developers say the Burelli Street hotel would also create an estimated 33 jobs during operation and about 350 jobs during construction.