Marriott hotel approved for Docklands, first in Australia for 20 years

A NEW five-star Marriott hotel has been approved for Docklands — the first opening for the international chain in Australia in 20 years.

A new five-star Marriott hotel has been approved for Docklands. Picture: Supplied

A NEW five-star Marriott hotel has been approved for Docklands — the first opening for the international chain in Australia in 20 years.

The 17-storey dual towers, to be built on Waterfront Way, will feature a public infinity pool on the rooftop.

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The $200 million project is for 200 hotel rooms, 110 residential apartments and a ground-floor restaurant. The building will be near The District Docklands, the new name for the Harbour Town shopping precinct.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne today announced approval of the project which will create up to 500 jobs during construction and 100 jobs once the hotel opens.

“This project will create jobs and cement Victoria’s status as a leader for tourism — and we’ve got the planning right to ensure it’s a suitable development for the city too,” Mr Wynne said.

The building is curved to reduce wind and overshadowing.

The recently opened Four Points by Sheraton at Docklands. Picture: Supplied

Mohan Du, managing director of developer Capital Alliance said the hotel would deliver the first contemporary Marriott to Melbourne.

“And its rooftop infinity pool will give the city an experience it has never seen before — akin to the renowned pool bars and lounges of New York City,” he said.

The approval comes as Melbourne experiences a boom in new hotels. As many as 20 are to built in the next five years, mostly in thew CBD, Southbank and Docklands.

Artist's impression of the 50-level Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel planned for the heart of Melbourne.

The 273-room Four Points by Sheraton opened in the dockside suburb in March.

The biggest hotel will be the Crown Queensbridge development which will have 388 hotel rooms and 708 apartments.

Also under construction in Southbank is the Novotel, South Wharf, with 347 rooms.

The TFE chain alone has four hotels in the pipeline — three Adina apartment hotels in West Melbourne, Southbank and Pentridge as well as another Vibe Hotel in central Melbourne.

Mr Wynne said tourism generates $23 billion in annual economic activity for Victoria and supports 210,000 jobs.

Much of the recent tourism growth has been driven by increased numbers of travellers from China and Singapore.

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