Randwick: Boutique hotel development proposed for heritage terrace at 40 The Avenue

A boarding house in Sydney’s eastern suburbs could soon be transformed into a boutique hotel with industry insiders saying we could see more offerings like this on the cards. Find out why.

Development proposal for a new 10-room boutique hotel at 40 The Avenue, Randwick.

A heritage-listed terrace in the heart of Randwick could soon be transformed into a boutique hotel after a bid to increase the building’s housing supply was rejected on the back of low rental returns.

Town planner ABC Planning has pitched a $3.4 million proposal to transform the boarding house which currently runs at 40 The Avenue, Randwick.

The proposal comes after an alternate plan to add an additional room to the boarding house and refurbish the existing rooms was rejected.

“The approved boarding rooms are not viable due to the high land values versus the low rental returns,” plans state.

The heritage terraces along The Avenue, Randwick.

Instead, developers have pitched turning the three-storey state heritage-listed terrace into a ten-room hotel.

It would not be the only boutique hotel in the largely residential section of Randwick. Just a few doors down, at 32-34 The Avenue, a Victorian building has already been transformed into a hotel known as ‘Avonmore on the Park’.

An aerial view of the building, outlined in red.

Simone Ramjee, one of the co-founders of Locay.com – an all-in-one travel website – said boutique hotels such as the one proposed had recently seen a spike in popularity.

“(We’ve seen) a noticeable shift in the way people like to travel, with consumers favouring boutique and personalised holiday experiences over mainstream resorts and hotels,” she said.

“Smaller businesses and guest service teams can deliver more confidence for a well-managed stay when compared to holiday letting options often found in suburban locations.”

She said one of the main draw cards for guests would be the “more intimate and personalised stay” boutique hotels offered.

“It’s about connection and a sense of place when arriving, and it’s as much about the neighbourhood and locality as it is about the hotel,” she said.

“There’s a story to be told, and generally, the people behind it are there checking you in or serving you your first negroni.”

Simone Ramjee with her business partner Larissa Fuller, the creators of Locay.com.

For Ms Ramjee, Randwick was “a great example” of an area which would appeal to tourists, with is proximity to event venues like the Royal Randwick Racecourse, Moore Park and Fox Studios.

“This not only offers convenience for travellers attending events but also allows them to experience the neighbourhood,” she said.
If the proposal is approved, the hotel would employee 11 staff members.

There would be staff present 24 hours per day and the guest lounge would offer breakfast seven days a week.