Australia's best mixed-use apartment and hotel developments on the market

Mixed-use developments have become a new sector mainstay in Australia, according to Cromwell Property Group.
Australia's best mixed-use apartment and hotel developments on the market
Seafarers porte-cochère, Docklands. Image supplied
Max KwokDecember 1, 2021

Not often comes an opportunity where hotel and residential spaces find their way into one project, but one of the biggest trends sweeping the country is the mixed of both, catering to a new type of discerning buyer.

Development director at Riverlee, David Lee, noted growing interest for hotel residences in the Australian property market.

“The hotel residence lifestyle has gained a lot of traction in places like New York and Asia, but there is a need for this type of home in Australia”, Lee said.

"There are various residential buildings out there with features such as a concierge service but hotel-branded residences, particularly those with an international focus, take it to another level,” he added.

These mixed-use developments have become a new sector mainstay in Australia, according to Cromwell Property Group, with developers increasingly combining commercial, hotel, leisure and residential.

Urban takes a look at six of Australia’s best mixed-use apartment and hotel developments available on the market.

1. Castle Residences, Sydney
Developer: United Development Sydney

Castle Residences is a new masterful collaboration between United Development Sydney and architects Candelapas Associates and Stud​ioAria.

Situated on Castlereagh Street, a luxurious collection of 131 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations are on offer in an elegant new residential tower that soars above the historic Porter House.

The heritage charms of Porter House add to the luxurious feel of the 122-room MGallery boutique hotel, which extends their five-star amenities to apartment residents.

The hotel will service the residences with room service, catering, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance, which can be accessed via a personalised mobile application.

Residents will also have full access to the hotel’s facilities including the restaurants, bars, gym, pool, and business centre, along with 24-hour security, concierge, and valet parking.

2. Seafarers, Docklands
Developer: Riverlee

Incorporating a 280-room hotel, Docklands’ latest development, Seafarers, will feature Melbourne’s first international hotel-branded residences, 1 Hotel & Homes.

Sitting above Australia’s first 1 Hotel, a world leading eco-luxury hotel brand, the Fender Katsalidis-designed apartments boast a limited collection of 123 riverfront residences.

The two and three-bedroom, light-filled residences offer sweeping views of Yarra River and the new Seafarers Rest Park, as well as unique five-star hotel services.

These include a botanical care and maintenance services, pet care and walking, in-home room services and chef-catered dinners.

The project will transform the city’s last remaining Yarra River frontage into a new visionary waterfront precinct, with a rooftop barbeque, library and lounge exclusively available to residents.

3. Vivére on Dorcas, South Melbourne
Developer: BEKL

Located in an elusive pocket of South Melbourne, Vivére boasts a new collection of 36 upscale residences delivered by BEKL, Amazon Property Group’s Australian operation.

The project soars above the Voco Hotel, which is operated and managed by internationally renowned IHG.

Designed by Plus Architecture, the 20-storey development offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a sculptural façade inspired by Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and Port Phillip Bay.

According to director-architect Jessica Liew, the recesses presented a creative opportunity to introduce an art installation, while the capsule between the stacked elements contains the hotel rooms of Voco.

Vivére offers residents premium room services, and a range of recreational amenities, including a gym, sociable restaurant and bar.

4. Ocean, Surfers Paradise
Developer: Meriton

Rising 76 floors against the Gold Coast skyline, Ocean is the latest mixed-use development in Surfers Paradise that will feature both luxury residential and hotel suites under the Meriton Suites brand.

Set to become the third tallest tower on the Gold Coast, Ocean will be home to an impressive 404 apartments starting from level 33, offering views that tower over neighbouring buildings.

Designed by SJB Architects, the development offers residents world-class facilities including an exclusive sky pool and gym on level 33.

Located on a prime beachfront site, it will also include a vibrant retail precinct, cafés and a purpose-built restaurant, and a beach club podium on the fifth floor.

5. Ryrie Home, Geelong
Developer: Franzé Developments

Situated on Ryrie S​treet, Franzé Developments’ new Geelong d​evelopment will deliver a landmark Holiday Inn tower, 16 luxury apartments at Ryrie Residences, and a separate 11-storey tower, Ryrie Home.

Designed by Arch​itectus, Ryrie Home boasts an authoritative and restrained grid façade, pedestrian laneways, commercial retail, and F&B spaces, as well as hotel and residential lobbies.

The collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts will see the Geelong Quarter become a gateway to the region and delivering the largest new hotel in the region in almost 20 years.

Ryr​ie Home will feature a collection of 109 one, two and three-bedroom apartments that benefit from room service, gym and pool facilities, dining, housekeeping and a business centre.

It will also feature a number of retail tenancies located on the ground level facing both Ryr​ie Street and Fenwick Street.

6. M-City, Clayton
Developer: Schiavello

Designed by Buchan Group, M-City boasts spacious new residential offers in one, two and three-bedroom configurations, as well as resort-style facilities and an international hotel.

Emblazoned with a distinctive bronze façade, M-City’s own International Hotel is set to become a new local landmark, providing understated yet luxurious accommodation for visitors.

Developed by Schiavello, the development is situated in the lively Clayton and provides residents with a range of function venues that offer entertaining and corporate spaces, such as meeting rooms, a ballroom, and a hotel bar.

Each apartment contains floor-to-ceiling glazing, spacious, private balconies, and luxury resort-style facilities, including a heated pool, landscaped gardens, and barbeque zones.

Max Kwok

Max Kwok is a staff contributor at urban.com.au. Based in Sydney, Max has previously worked at Property Observer where he specialised in content creation and editorial research.

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