It’s official: NT Govt starts hunt for fresh interest in luxury hotel

The NT Government has started the official process of seeking interest in the Waterfront precinct project.

• Marriott committed to Darwin hotel ‘more than ever’

HOT on the heels of Marriott International confirming it still wants to run a luxury hotel in Darwin, the NT Government has started the official process of seeking interest in the Waterfront precinct project.

Registrations of interest are now open, which is the precursor to a competitive process to identify the market interest in developing and operating a luxury hotel in Darwin.

“The NT Government invites experienced proponents with the ability to develop, finance and operate a luxury accommodation offering to register their interest in this exciting opportunity,” says the registration of interest notice on the NT Government’s website.

The notice says the new luxury accommodation offering must integrate with and complement the development of the precinct.

It also says interested proponents are welcome to nominate alternate privately owned sites, which they believe would be suitable for a luxury accommodation offering in Darwin.

The NT Government has previously committed to contributing towards public infrastructure elements that enhance connectivity with the CBD and integrate with the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.

The registrations of interest will close on September 10.

NT Interim Territory Investment Commissioner Andrew Cowan said the Territory needs to be competitive and be able to attract the domestic market in the future, and when international borders re-open, the demand for a new luxury accommodation offering in Darwin will be stronger than ever.

“The new luxury accommodation project is one of the key elements in the Territory’s plan to help to unlock private sector investment in Darwin, grow its population, boost the visitor economy and support greater business activity,” Mr Cowan said.

“It fits perfectly with the vision of the Darwin City Deal, which is positioning Darwin as Northern Australia’s pre-eminent vibrant and liveable tropical capital city, supported by a diverse economy. “Based on current market sentiment, I expect the registration of interest process to attract a wide range of high-calibre proponents and investors who can bring this significant new development to life.”

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Doubts were cast over the luxury hotel when Landbridge, which was originally awarded the contract to build the hotel, pulled out.

However Marriott International confirmed to the NT News on Tuesday it is more committed than ever to operate the luxury hotel in Darwin. Vice president of Hotel Development, Australia, NZ, and Pacific Richard Crawford told the NT News Marriott International remains fully committed to bringing “our iconic Westin brand to the city of Darwin”. “Right now, we are experiencing unprecedented domestic demand for our premium hotels in leisure locations, across Australia,” he said.

“This trend gives us great confidence that The Top End is exceptionally well placed to benefit from the large cohort of Australians seeking aspirational new travel experiences close to home.