Novotel Geelong confirms work will soon start on its $100m second tower

The construction of an 11-storey Geelong waterfront hotel that will connect to an already popular venue is expected to commence later this year.

A render of the proposed second tower at Novotel Geelong.

Construction of a second tower at a Geelong waterfront hotel is expected to commence in the coming months and cost up to $100m.

The 11-storey structure at Novotel Geelong will reach a maximum height of 32m, four storeys higher than the existing hotel that was opened in 2001.

It will be built to the south of the current tower, adjacent to Brougham St, and be located directly across from the Geelong Club.

The two Novotel towers will be connected.

In addition to 144 hotel rooms, the new building will feature a conference centre and hospitality venues.

Construction is expected to commence as soon as this year after the state government signed off on the project in March 2023.

A render of Novotel’s second tower on Eastern Beach Rd.

The second tower will sit to the south of the existing hotel.

Novotel Geelong is owned by hospitality group ERDI.

Chief executive Ricky Jeffs said the company was currently undertaking a tender process.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of extending our Novotel Geelong offering with an additional 144 rooms,” he said.

“This will make the development Geelong’s largest hotel with 253 rooms.

“It will include multiple food and beverage outlets, and more extensive hotel facilities such as a new outdoor pool and modern gym.

“Construction will start in late 2024, (or) early 2025, with completion due in mid-2026.”

A render of Novotel’s second tower on Eastern Beach Rd.

Novotel Geelong opened in 2001 and has 109 rooms across five floors.

A further two floors comprise dining and conference facilities.

The hotel was given a makeover in 2018, with $3.5m spent on the modernisation.

It welcomed a new restaurant in September last year when Tempo Kitchen & Bar opened its doors.

News of the Novotel expansion comes as work progresses at the $456m Geelong Convention Centre, which will be home to a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel.

Also nearby will be a 180-room, five-star hotel at the $250m Cunningham Place development.

Amber Property Group has not yet confirmed what international hotel brand will occupy the space.

This is despite the group stating late last year that an announcement on a deal that was “signed, sealed and delivered”.

Originally published as Novotel Geelong confirms work will soon start on its $100m second tower