Hotelier names Mosman’s first boutique luxury hotel ‘The Albert’

EMERALD City Hotels has approval to transform The Whitehouse, also known as Telopea — Boronia House’s forgotten twin - into Mosman’s first boutique luxury hotel.

Artist’s impression by Smith and Tzannes Architects of the transformation of The Whitehouse, also known as Telopea, into Mosman’s first boutique luxury hotel. Emerald City Hotels owns the property.

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A LOWER north shore entrepreneur has revealed a classic Mosman name for what he hopes will be the “jewel in the crown” of his suite of hotels: The Albert.

The Mosman Daily reported last year that Jean-Claude Branch, Emerald City Hotels chief executive, planned to transform the downtrodden Telopea into the suburb’s first boutique luxury hotel.

Mosman Council approved the development application for 89b Cowles Rd last month. Emerald City Hotels owns the property.

The Whitehouse, at 89b Cowles Rd, Mosman, also known as Telopea, will become the suburb’s first boutique luxury hotel by Emerald City Hotels.

The building, also known as The Whitehouse, is Boronia House’s forgotten twin.

A car wash now sits on what was once Telopea’s front garden. Telopea was built about 1885.

Mr Branch, a Cammeray resident, said The Albert would truly “represent Mosman”.

“I’m really excited. This will be a high-end establishment which goes with Mosman,” he said.

“Mosman is not a budget area. The people who are going to come here will want to spend a decent amount of money. The aim is 4.5 stars.”

A picture, date unknown, from the Rabone family collection of Telopea. Constructed circa 1885, the once grand two-storey mansion today known as The Whitehouse, will become Mosman’s first boutique luxury hotel. Picture: Mosman Library Local Studies Collection

Emerald City Hotels plans to spend an estimated $3.5 million to $4 million on renovations. There will be 26 rooms.

Mr Branch estimated the average daily rate would be between $250 to $350 a night, twin share, including breakfast. “The Albert is very important to me because Albert Cramley was my grandfather who passed away in 2015. He is the inspiration,” he said.

Hotelier Jean-Claude Branch. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

“My grandfather was a global citizen — he travelled the world extensively — but he lived in Mosman for a long time.

“The Albert is for the global traveller who’s been to many places and wants to experience something at a nice level. My guests ... they are not the type of customer who would stay at the Holiday Inn.”

Mr Branch said he had received positive feedback from businesses about The Albert. “This will serve both Mosman residents who want to put friends and family in accommodation and also tourists,” he said.

“Those visitors are going to eat and shop in Mosman, go to Taronga Zoo, Balmoral Beach — it will bring in more people to Mosman, which I think is good all around.”

Mr Branch hopes the renovation will start in the next couple of months and take 18 months to complete.

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Emerald City Hotels’ Cremorne Point Manor with a harbour backdrop. Picture: Emerald City Hotels