Sydney snags hot new hotel

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 24: Simon McGrath COO of Accor Hotels sits with Mr. Xu of Shanghai United at the official signing ceremony of a new-build luxury boutique hotel, developed by Shanghai United and managed with AccorHotels under the MGallery by Sofitel brand at The Sofitel Hotel Sydney on May 24, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

After speculation of a new hotel in Sydney and InterCon up for sale earlier this week, AccorHotels has now confirmed it’s got a new property on the burner.

In partnership with real estate developer Shanghai United, AccorHotels has announced that a new-build luxury boutique MGallery by Sofitel hotel will be built in Sydney CBD’s Castlereagh Street, and they kicked it off with an official signing ceremony (and probably a few well-earned bubbles) yesterday.

The new-build $120m+ landmark luxury hotel will be located on the corner block of 110-118 Bathurst and 203 Castlereagh Streets as part of a $380 million mixed-use development.

The project will be a new build 36-storey tower, with a 121-room hotel housed over Levels 1-9 with 131 residential apartments above on Levels 10-34.

The property, designed by Candelapas & Associates architects, will also have to interweave the existing 1870s Heritage-Listed Porter House – adjacent to the tower – into the new-build, along with the Porter House Hotel.

The Porter House MGallery By Sofitel render guestroom

The Porter House MGallery By Sofitel render guestroom

The Porter House will feature four levels of additional facilities, including lobby, pool and fitness centre, two restaurants, a fourth floor bar with roving art gallery, meeting and private dining facilities and a business centre. Valet parking will also be provided for all cars.

The 121 guest rooms and suites in the new tower will take inspiration from the heritage building, incorporating beautifully stitched rich leathers, unique bronze glass round showers, polished metal accents, timber and heritage-inspired decorative tiles.

Chief Operating Officer Pacific for AccorHotels, Simon McGrath, said, “We are thrilled to develop a new strategic partnership with Shanghai United on this landmark development for Sydney’s CBD.

“The Sydney hotel sector is the strongest in Australia with consistent occupancy levels in the mid-high 80% range and average rates growing sharply.

“This new MGallery by Sofitel hotel will stand to greatly benefit from the tourism and infrastructure boom we are currently seeing with projects such as the International Convention Centre and light rail development.

“A new boutique hotel such as this will provide both business and leisure travellers with a new luxury boutique experience in Sydney, whether they visit for conferences, events, cultural or sporting events.

“The Porter House Hotel, MGallery by Sofitel, is set in prime position to take advantage of the brand’s growing global presence backed by AccorHotels powerful distribution, digital platforms and growing loyalty program,” concluded McGrath.

Construction on The Porter House Hotel, MGallery by Sofitel will commence in early 2018 with completion expected in December 2020.

The new Porter House Hotel, MGallery by Sofitel will complement the existing Harbour Rocks Hotel in the city and join a network of over ten MGallery by Sofitel hotels across Australia and New Zealand and over 80 worldwide. For more visit Sofitel.com.

Latest News

  • Events
  • Tourism

ATE 2024 kicks off in Melbourne welcoming over 2,500 delegates to MCEC

The Australian Tourism Exchange has officially opened in Melbourne bringing together thousands of Australian tourism businesses and hundreds of international buyers from around the world at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell and Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos this morning launched […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Luxury Lodges of Australia adds Bullo River Station outback experience to its collection

Luxury Lodges of Australia has welcomed Bullo River Station to its collection of luxury lodges and camps offering distinctively Australian, high-end experiences and hospitality across the continent. Set on some 161,000ha (400,000 acres) of privately owned outback country at the convergence of the Bullo and Victoria rivers in the East Kimberley, Bullo River Station is […]

  • Cruise

Virgin under fire for cruise ‘giveaway’ made near impossible

Virgin Voyages has been urged to honour promises made to winners of a free cruise after the cruise line scrapped sailings out of Australia and New Zealand. In November last year, more than 150 lucky passengers onboard a Virgin Australia flight were gifted a free Virgin Voyages cruise via Facetime from Sir Richard Branson. Move […]

  • Conferences

Africa’s Travel Indaba gives $40 million boost to local economy

According to initial indications, this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba hosted 9280 registered delegates marking an incredible 7 per cent increase when compared to 2023. No less than 24,000 meetings were held between exhibitors and buyers. Additionally, the event featured over 1200 exhibitors who displayed an impressive array of African tourism products and experiences. (Featured image: […]

  • Appointments

Aussie joins first female-founded private jet and luxury solutions business

Voyex has made history as the first female-founded private jet business and luxury solutions company, with founder Lilit Avetikyan joined by Australian Vanessa Budah, a former head of PR & Communications ANZ for The Travel Corporation. The pair say Voyex, with an office in Dubai and soon to have a HQ in Saudi Arabia, will […]

  • Appointments
  • Tour Operators

James Hewlett announced as new marketing director at Albatross Tours

European touring specialist Albatross Tours has appointed James Hewlett as its new director of marketing. “James’ appointment is so exciting for Albatross Tours, completing our Australian executive team,” Albatross Tours managing director Shelley Poten said. “James’ exceptional calibre, impeccable reputation, and value-alignment with Albatross positions him perfectly to direct our marketing strategy.” “Our Australian and […]

  • Luxury

Why luxury clients are opting for immersive experiences over material items

The Luxury Travel Collection’s (LTC) inaugural business owners Soiree took place on Hayman Island last week. The event saw luxury leaders gathering to find out more about the key trends shaping the industry. The Immersion Day, held on Thursday 16 May 2024, followed the growing luxury client trend of valuing immersive experiences over material items. […]

  • Conferences

Empowering underserved communities: Expedia Group’s drive for more inclusive travel

Expedia Group has used the EXPLORE conference at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas to highlight initiatives that empower underserved communities worldwide.   In a groundbreaking move towards fostering diversity and inclusion within the travel industry, Expedia’s Global Social Impact and Sustainability Team is dedicated to shaping a travel landscape that is safe, welcoming, and accessible […]

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]