Chains show interest in hotel plan

In what will be an historic step, developers will soon be sought for the proposed Middleton Beach hotel.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti will announce today international and national hotel chain operators have registered expressions of interest in operating a potential 80-140-room hotel at the site, which has sat vacant since the Esplanade Hotel was demolished in 2007.

Ms Saffioti said “big name brands” were among those interested in the site, part of the Middleton Beach redevelopment which has provisions for a hotel up to 12-storeys.

The EOI period for hotel operators ran until last month and, with that phase complete, the State Government’s next step is identifying potential developers.

Ms Saffioti’s office confirmed that was likely to begin around mid-year.

“Finding big brand names that are interested in managing the day-to-day operations of a potential 80-140 room hotel at Middleton Beach is a tremendous outcome,” Ms Saffioti said.

“The success of the hotel operator EOI is a clear indication quality hotel chains see benefit in operating at the site.

“We hope this instils greater confidence amongst developers and encourages a competitive outcome when the site goes to market.”

The minister’s office would not disclose which businesses had made submissions for fear it could affect later talks.

Albany has long awaited a large-scale hotel, with Albany MLA Peter Watson believing the interest in this site could be a turning point.

“The calibre of hotel operators reaffirms what an attractive development opportunity the Middleton Beach site is for a quality hotel development,” he said.

“The interest shown from these hotel operators is a great indicator that this project will boost our local economy, provide local jobs, and benefit our tourism sector.”

Once complete, the hotel is envisioned to be part of the Middleton Beach Activity Centre plan, which has been called a precinct of retail, commercial, tourism and residential developments along the coast.