Chadstone seeks Stonnington Council permission to increase size of on-site hotel to tap into tourism market

A NEW hotel set to attract international tourists to Chadstone Shopping Centre could get even bigger.

Chadstone shopping centre has asked Stonnington Council to endorse its plans to increase the size of its new hotel. Picture: Mark Wilson

A NEW hotel set to attract international tourists to Chadstone Shopping Centre could get even bigger.

Earlier this year Urbis, acting on behalf of the centre’s owners, wrote to Stonnington Council seeking changes to its planning permit issued in 2013. They want to increase the size of the proposed hotel from 10 to 13 floors and increase the number of rooms by 32.

In a letter dated February 23, and seen by the Leader, the applicant wrote “further external input” had led to changes in the hotel’s design to “tap into the strong intrastate, interstate, and international leisure and tourism markets”.

A subsequent council letter sent to nearby residents outlines a proposed height increase of 10.7m, allowing Chadstone to increase the number of rooms in the hotel from 216 to 248.

Chadstone is already the country’s largest shopping centre and home to about 600 retailers.

Last year it launched the first completed stage of its highly publicised $660 million expansion.

The total cost of the new hotel and office building, which has already been completed, is more than $50 million.

Chadstone spokeswoman Ali O’Shea said the hotel design had “evolved to meet world-class international tourism benchmarks”.

As well as increasing the height and the number of hotel rooms, she said the proposed amendment also included adding recreation, dining and wellbeing amenities.

Stonnington chief executive Warren Roberts expected Chadstone’s amendment request would be considered by the council in June and the council was seeking public comment until April 26.