Accor has signed a management agreement with long-time partner, Middle East hotel owner and developer Action Hotels plc, to open what will be the largest ibis hotel in Australasia in Brisbane’s business district by 2016.
“Accor remains the leader in the economy hotel segment with 60 hotels in the Australian ibis ‘megabrand’ brand portfolio. The ibis brand has kept up with the changing expectations of consumers through design-led affordable quality hotels. As such, investors are strongly drawn to the ibis brand as exemplified by three new build hotels currently in development and the recent opening of ibis Adelaide,” Simon McGrath, Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer said.
The $90 million investment to develop the 368-room ibis Brisbane Elizabeth Street is said to create 400 jobs during construction and 80 positions during operation. It will be the first investment for Action in Queensland, a testament to Brisbane’s expected growth in domestic and international markets, according to Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk.
“As Australia’s New World City, Brisbane is attracting new hotel developments and this increased supply of hotel rooms improves our ability to attract visitors, as well as providing many new jobs and opportunities for local businesses. Developments such as this represent confidence, appetite and opportunity at home and abroad,” Cr Quirk said.
Construction is expected to commence later this year at 40 Elizabeth Street, which adjoins the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall and is walking distance to government departments and the Brisbane Casino.
Accor’s latest ibis hotel development announcement in Brisbane comes after the successful launch of the new ibis Adelaide hotel last month. Considered the most innovative economy hotel built in Australia, the latest ibis is also first new-build ibis to be developed in Australia since 2008 and the 60th economy hotel in Accor’s Australian network and the largest.