Hotels approved for Levantine Hill Estate, St Huberts Winery

The Yarra Valley has been hard hit by Covid. But exciting plans for two popular wineries could be a draw card to bring tourists back to the region.

An artist's impression of the new hotel at Levantine Hill Estate.

Two new hotels are set to be built in the Covid-ravaged Yarra Ranges in a much-needed shot in the arm for tourism and local jobs.

Yarra Ranges councillors approved a plan for a 33-room apartment-style hotel at Levantine Hill Estate and 80-room suite accommodation hotel at St Huberts Winery.

The Coldstream developments are expected to help fill the gap in short term accommodation in the Yarra Valley.

Covid has had a devastating impact on the visitor economy of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, with international and domestic border closures impacting visitor numbers.

The two-storey, $15m hotel at Levantine Hill Estate on the Maroondah Highway will offer premium accommodation, supporting the ability for people to travel to the Yarra Valley for events.

The 33 apartment-style accommodation units will be designed by renowned architects Fender Katsalidis to sit naturally within the landscape.

Each apartment will accommodate up to two people, and are designed to suit both single people and couples.

Eight apartments will incorporate larger bedrooms, separate sitting rooms and bathrooms with spa.

The hotel is expected to open in 2024, joining the existing cellar door and restaurant, also

designed by Fender Katsalidis architects, as well as two vineyards.

Levantine Hill Estate opened its new state-of-the-art winery and events complex earlier this year.

Levantine Hill managing director Samantha Jreissati said: “Together with our winery and events complex, we are making a global statement that positions the Yarra Valley region as a world-class producer of fine wines and outstanding event location.”

Architect Karl Fender, Founding Partner of Fender Katsalidis, at Levantine Hill Estate Winery in 2020. Picture: Stuart McEvoy/The Australian.

But at the recent Yarra Ranges Council meeting, neighbour Darren Hall said he was opposed to the development being built so close to his house, which he feared would impact on his privacy.

“I’m not against the development – I’m against the development being situated so close to my house, looking over my house,” he said.

Joanne Hartsias from JH Town Planning, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the hotel would be about 200m away from Mr Hall’s property and the applicant would be happy to look into screening options.

Ms Hartsias said the proposal would bring a significant amount of economic benefits to the wider community, including jobs, as well as providing short stay accommodation which was lacking in the area.

Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister, and Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, acknowledged the concerns raised by the objector but said the design was appropriate for the site and the application met the requirements of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.

Meanwhile a four-storey, 80-room hotel will be built at St Huberts Winery after getting the tick of approval from councillors.

The hotel will be used in conjunction with the existing vineyard and winery.

Melinda Catlow, acting on behalf of owners Yarra Valley Wine Centre Pty Ltd, said the development would include hotel suites rather than apartments, with a pool, spa treatments and internal restaurant also planned.

She said the development would create about 30 new jobs.

Ms Catlow said St Hubert’s was one of the first wineries in the Yarra Valley, established in the 1800s at the gateway to the Yarra Valley.

She said when Covid hit in March 2020, the council had supported an application for the redevelopment of the winery on-site, the restaurant and the creation of a function centre.

“Those facilities are now nearing completion and demonstrate the quality type of design that our client is seeking to continue with the residential hotel,” she said.