Projects on The Strand set to enliven Townsville’s tourism credentials

See all the luxury hotels, restaurants, offices and apartments set to reshape The Strand, and find out what’s happening where.

An image showing the Morris Group's new hotel named Ardo.

Seafront and waterfront sites are hot spots for development in Townsville with a host of projects planned on or near The Strand.

The projects have the potential to reshape and reinvigorate the city and build on the recovery in our tourism industry.

But with the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, skills shortages and inflation causing heartache throughout the construction industry, it is a difficult time to build.

Here’s an update on some key projects which have been announced for the The Strand and Ross Creek.

ARDO HOTEL

An artist’s impression of the Ardo Hotel.

The Morris Group is developing the five-star $88m Ardo hotel next door to The Ville Resort-Casino in the Breakwater Island precinct.

Construction of the seven-level hotel, being built by Prime Constructions and designed by architects Dubois, is well advanced — the most advanced of our featured projects.

The 132-room hotel includes rooftop and ground floor restaurants and bars and is scheduled to open late this year.

Recruitment is under way for key positions at ardohotel.au

MARINA RESIDENCES

An image of the Maidment Group's Marina Residences apartment tower.

Maidment Group is proceeding with the Marina Residences apartment tower, the second stage of a $55m project in Mariners Dr in the Breakwater marina precinct.

It is first major residential tower in the city in more than a decade and follows the successful stage one of eight marina townhouses selling off the plan for prices in excess of $2.4m.

The apartment tower will provide 18 “sky homes” across seven levels with views over the marina, the Strand and out to Magnetic Island.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

An image of the boutique hotel proposed for the Strand.

A seven-level 80-room boutique hotel with food, beverage and function facilities at the corner of The Strand and Kennedy St was approved by the council in December.

Director of developer S&S Group Paul Gedoun said they would “love” to start construction this year but that there were still some work to do.

A first round of requests for proposal with eight hotel operators and a local operator had been finalised which had been narrowed to three potential partners.

Mr Gedoun said they were in negotiations with potential food and beverage operators.

“We are working through a number of design considerations and in discussion with multiple local builders and intend to get a tender pack out in the coming months,” Mr Gedoun said.

He said they were discussing the best timing with potential contractors and would be patient to ensure the project could be built within budget.

99 THE STRAND

An image of the proposed unit and restaurant project planned for the corner of the Strand and Landsborough St in Townsville.

The developer of two apartment projects on the Strand, Warburton Investments, says construction costs have stabilised but have not reduced since late last year.

Warburton Investments gained approval for a 44-unit project at 99 The Strand in 2021 but last year reported that it had not been possible to derisk the fluctuation in the cost of construction materials since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Warburton Investments spokesman Luke Filei said labour shortages had also persisted.

STRAND BEACH CLUB

An image of the restaurant and unit project planned for 71 The Strand. Photo: Warburton Investments

Another of Warburton Investments’ developments, the proposed 18-apartment Strand Beach Club, at 71 The Strand is currently in the planning process with Townsville City Council.

Mr Filei said if the Reserve Bank did not go overboard with increases in interest rates, the market for units looked positive.

FLINDERS STREET WHARVES

A view from Ross Creek looking towards the proposed platform and pavilion of Flinders Street Wharves. source: Wilson Architects

A multi-venue entertainment precinct on Townsville’s historic Burns Philp building and adjoining marine lease over Ross Creek has been given planning approval by the council.

Developer Andrew Hooper-Nguyen said the project would reorientate the iconic building towards Ross Creek and the new public East End Boardwalk.

He said they would create interesting new waterfront food, drink and entertainment spaces for the community.

OFFICE PROJECT

An artist's impression of the office project designed as head office for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Townsville.

Developer of The Hive, Gleeson Group managing director Therese Smith said this month that the commercial site associated with The Hive was on hold.

Last year she said they had little option but to wait and reconsider the development after tender prices came in far in excess of expectations.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority announced in 2021 that it would take office space in a new commercial building opposite Reef HQ in Flinders St but more recently, while the authority leases space in the Northtown complex, is understood have looked at alternatives including the River Quays and Stanley Place buildings.

CRITERION HOTEL

The site of the Criterion Hotel on the Strand.

The Criterion Hotel or King Street North Precinct at the Corner of The Strand and King St is part of the holdings that make up The Hive.

It was offered for sale last year with approvals to demolish the hotel and develop a residential and retail building of up to 20 storeys.

Colliers Townsville associate director Angelo Castorina said this month that there had been interest in the site and that there were ongoing discussions with a particular party.

REEF HQ

An early concept image of the revamped Reef HQ Aquarium.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority announced last year that plans for the Reef HQ aquarium had been changed to demolish and build a new aquarium rather than upgrade the Flinders St facility.

While, previously, a 2023 opening had been anticipated, the opening of a new aquarium is planned for 2026.

MARINE PRECINCT

An artist’s impression of the Townsville Marine Tourism Precinct.

SeaLink said in 2021 they were unable to proceed with a project to develop a new ferry terminal and hotel project next to their current facility in Ross Creek, blaming the continued uncertainty of Covid-19 and its impact on tourism.

There were suggestions they could revisit the project in 2025.

Originally published as Projects on The Strand set to enliven Townsville’s tourism credentials