Grand plans: The new hotels set to revolutionise Newcastle’s tourism economy
A series of new hotel developments will underpin City of Newcastle’s post-COVID tourism plan. SEE THE ARTIST IMPRESSIONS.
Newcastle
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Luxury and boutique hotel developments in the heart of Newcastle could transform the city’s skyline and help rebuild local tourism in the wake of COVID-19.
Accommodation was highlighted in City of Newcastle’s draft Destination Management Plan 2021-25, to be considered for public exhibition on Tuesday night.
“With a pipeline of new-build hotel investment ... Newcastle is well positioned to attract a new wave of domestic and international visitors, once travel restrictions ease further,” lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The city is committed to driving the growth and sustainability of the visitor economy with a new tourism plan designed as a visionary tool, instrumental to driving Newcastle’s social and economic recovery.”
Among the accommodation projects under development is Kingsley, a five-star hotel planned for the former City Administration Centre.
The building – an icon on the city’s landscape – will undergo a complete transformation before opening to visitors next year.
The interiors of some of the hotel’s 130 rooms have already been revealed.
Designers have drawn on curves and linear rhythm to fit within the circular building, while the colour scheme is inspired by the region’s coal mining history.
The plans include a rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic views over the city.
The City Administration Centre isn’t the only Newcastle mainstay to undergo a complete transformation.
The former David Jones building in Hunter St Mall will be converted into boutique accommodation.
QT Hotels and Resorts group general manager Callum Kennedy said the hotel will feature in the redevelopment of the city’s east end.
“QT Newcastle will be a creative place to stay and play and a hallmark destination for the NSW Government’s Revitalising Newcastle program,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Transformation of the heritage David Jones building is currently underway, soon to be home to 106 character-filled rooms, a boutique rooftop bar, and an intimate QT signature dining concept and bar – all of which will reflect QT’s popular luxurious and quirky flair.”
The transformation of the east end will be completed in four stages, and includes luxury apartments and a new retail precinct.
Plans are also underway for a hotel at the site of the historic Newcastle Post Office.
Hotel magnate Jerry Schwartz bought the building for $3.5m in 2018.
Its first floor will be transformed into a function centre, while the ground floor will host wedding retail outlets.
City of Newcastle’s draft Destination Management Plan said 23 per cent of domestic overnight visitors and 17 per cent of international visitors stayed at hotels or motels in 2019.
Ten per cent of domestic visitors preferred to stay in luxury accommodation.
The city hosted more than 1.7m overnight visitors last year, with tourism contributing $1b to the local economy before the pandemic.
The draft plan listed a number of short-term initiatives, including enhancing night-time activities, redeveloping the ocean baths and attracting more events.
Longer term initiatives included more routes to and from Newcastle Airport and a light rail extension.
Council also proposed a feasibility study be undertaken, to investigate whether a waterfront convention centre should be developed.
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