Stadium hotel developers are still in game for Townsville

The developers of a $40 million hotel in Townsville say they are moving ahead with the project for a start to construction in the first quarter of next year.

An artist’s impression of the DoubleTree by Hilton planned for Townsville.

The developers of a $40m hotel in Townsville say they are moving ahead with the project for a start to construction in the first quarter of next year.

Focus Pacific is planning a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on land leased from the Townsville council next to the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Announced in 2017, the project had been planned for an opening at the same time as the new stadium this year but the schedule has been progressively moved forward.

Last year it was hoped to open by the start of the 2021 National Rugby League season but now the developers are targeting an opening in 2022.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has decimated tourism and hotel investment, has added to the delays.

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Focus Pacific chief executive Michael Graham said that, subject to the region returning to some sort of normality and the direction of government policy on public gatherings, the company remained confident of proceeding with the project under a new financing arrangement.

He said Focus Pacific’s major Malaysian-based investor had put a hold on their position.

“They have had to cool their jets while everyone understands what the world post-COVID looks like,” Mr Graham said.

“What we have done, we have recapitalised (the project). The business is in a very strong position in trying to move forward … with the hotel. We are well advanced with a different capital mix.”

He said they were getting to the point now of finalising the design and development brief.

They would go to tender by invitation “probably within the next six weeks”, Mr Graham said.

“We will be talking to a number of construction partners or builders. We are very committed to make sure it is a local builder,” he said.

“We are looking to a first quarter construction commencement (in calendar 2022).”

Focus Pacific says the 4.5-star, seven-storey, 166-room property will be an “upscale” hotel with everything a Hilton would have, other than its club lounge and Hilton honours program.

Plans show there will be a pool, fine dining, bar, gym and meeting rooms as well as outdoor areas, with the rooms located on the upper five levels.

Originally published as Stadium hotel developers are still in game for Townsville