Restaurant, hotel takes advantage of pre-eminent Strand location

A flash new restaurant and boutique hotel planned for a prime waterfront spot will bring new life into the region. See the design plans.

A flash new restaurant and 80-room boutique hotel has been proposed for Townsville’s Strand.

The project, now on public notification as part of its development application, shows a wavy, architecturally designed building at the corner of The Strand and Kennedy St.

The site, where an old house and set of units currently stand, is opposite the new Anelay bar and units which opened last year.

Developer S & S Group, led by Townsville-born director Paul Gedoun who has been active here and more recently in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is proposing the hotel, dining and function destination.

Mr Gedoun said he wanted to provide high quality short-term accommodation and great food and beverage and function facilities on a prominent corner of the Strand.

An image of the hotel proposed for the Strand. Image: Cottee Parker Architects

“I want to create a building that allows guests to stay and play while being steps away from the beach and everything that the Strand has to offer," Mr Gedoun said.

The project includes basement carparking and a restaurant including bar, kitchen facilities and amenities on the ground floor, as well as lobby and reception for the hotel above.

Level 1 is to provide function and private group dining areas, supported by a kitchen, amenities and bar, while Levels 2 to 6 will be for short-term accommodation.

A rooftop recreation deck and pool for the use of hotel guests is also planned.

While the development application says the building height is not wholly consistent with the area’s Medium Density Residential Zone Code, which nominates five levels, it adds that the built form is consistent with the code.

Mr Gedoun said the seven-level building included increased ceiling heights to the function and ground floor areas which were an “absolute necessity” to ensure the spaces were successful and created the right ambience and feel.

“I think the building height is in proportion to the nearby buildings and the vision was always to build a landmark building catering to the current deficiency of quality short-term accommodation in Townsville and the Strand,” Mr Gedoun said.

“We have designed the building based off the minimum requirements to attract a quality hotel operator which has a considerable bearing on room numbers, hence the five levels of guest rooms to meet those requirements.”

The development application is on public notification until August 9.

A decision is expected to be made by Townsville City Council later this year.

Originally published as Restaurant, hotel takes advantage of pre-eminent Strand location