Parramatta Holiday Inn Express hotel proposal
In the wake of the opening of Bankwest Stadium, the iconic Holiday Inn hotel chain is planning to expand in Parramatta with a $30 million project earmarked for the CBD. See the artist impressions.
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Western Sydney’s hotel boom is continuing to gain pace with the Parramatta CBD’s billion-dollar overhaul attracting a new 239-room development from the Holiday Inn franchise.
Pro Investment Group’s plans for the Holiday Inn Express is the latest major accommodation facility to move into the area in the wake of the opening of Bankwest Stadium and major developments such as the Powerhouse Museum and the $2.7 billion Parramatta Square redevelopment.
The Sydney Central Planning Panel is assessing the application for the 55m Inn, which already has another hotel at Anderson St, Parramatta.
The 15-storey site on Smith St would comprise four levels on the podium below the hotel which will be aimed largely at business visitors.
Western Sydney Business Chamber president David Borger supported the hotel’s plans.
“Parramatta is the preferred base for business people who do work at western Sydney and it’s a huge vote of confidence for Parramatta,’’ he said.
“It’s a fantastic location that is going to capitalise on the business district in the city centre but also going to have the Powerhouse Museum around the corner.’’
As well as business clientele, sports and music lovers flocking to Bankwest Stadium are fuelling a demand for hotels.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the Holiday Inn would “complement what we’re trying to achieve in Paramatta”.
“We’ve got Parramatta Square coming out of the ground. It’s going to be dynamic and we need to accommodate business people and visitors.’’
Last year, a Micromex Research report found Bankwest Stadium pumped $1 million into the local economy over three major events, including the first NRL match there between the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers.
More than 530,000 patrons who flocked in the inaugural year opened their wallets at local hotels, restaurants and cafes. Patrons spent $1.27 million inside the stadium and $1.65 million in the Parramatta local government area.
The stadium will host Cold Chisel on January 24 before music icon Elton John closes his Australian Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at Parramatta on March 7.
“Bankwest Stadium has been a game changer,’’ Mr Borger said.
“People from the eastern suburbs are coming to Parramatta more. I think people love the fact we have a stadium next to the city centre.”
While the Holiday Inn is expected to attract business visitors, a 29-storey five-star Hilton hotel will draw guests with a penchant for luxury.
The 245-room, ballroom, sky lounge and a hotel management school are earmarked for the site at the corner of Marsden and Macquarie streets where 110 employees will work.
At Phillip St, a $239 million 55-storey QT hotel joins the five-star club.
Coronation Parramatta is developing the 260-room hotel.
The Eels have plans for a $140 million hotel, wellness and function centre but they have been put on hold after opponents claimed the 17-storey pile would create a traffic nightmare and compromise the character of nearby heritage buildings.