$90m Crown Hotel plan unveiled
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BY AMIE BROKENSHIRE
20/11/2008 9:31:00 AM
VICTOR HARBOR - Plans for the $90million redevelopment of the Hotel Crown at Victor Harbor have been released.
Property developer Urban Construct and owner of the site, Andrew Gunn, are working together on the project, and lodged the development application to the City of Victor Harbor last Tuesday, November 11. This will now be assessed by council before going before the Council Development Assessment Panel.
The application features a design for a nine storey construction and includes tourism and recreational facilities at the ground level including a sports bar, café and alfresco dining, retail outlets, corporate business function centres and 186 world-class hotel suites.
"We believe that this redevelopment has the potential to attract more than 60,000 visitors a year to Victor Harbor from both the corporate and leisure markets," Urban Construct Chief Executive Todd Brown said.
Mr Gunn is excited about the project and pleased to be working with a company as professional as Urban Construct.
"They keep me informed on everything and they've got the expertise in that field," he said.
"The actual development will be outstanding for Victor Harbor.”
Urban Construct estimates the redevelopment will inject an additional $20million per year into the local economy through local job creation and the economic multiplier effect from increased tourism opportunities.
"That's the most important thing, creating economic activity and creating jobs," Mr Gunn said.
He says over 200 jobs will be created during construction, and approximately 250 permanent jobs on completion, all primarily sourced from the local population.
"The Hotel Crown redevelopment will drive the reinvigoration of the tourism and hospitality industry.
“It will also create significant local job opportunities for the youth of Victor Harbor and inject millions into the local economy," Mr Brown said.
The proposed 'Youth Training Program' is to be implemented as part of the new hotel to ensure career paths for the youth of the region and minimise the outflow of the younger generation.
The redevelopment will position Ocean Street and Railway Terrace as the heart of the town centre, creating new retail opportunities as well as a public plaza providing direct linkages between these two areas.
"The ground level will probably be the best hotel street in the state and function rooms will facilitate 400 to 500 people," Mr Gunn said.
The hotel will be focussed on contributing to the local economy and the restaurants will source produce from local suppliers along the Fleurieu Peninsula, creating an economic ripple effect.
Mr Gunn will remain as the owner/operator when the project is complete and said it's nice to be able to keep such an icon South Australian owned.
The application will be submitted early next year and both parties hope it will meet with council approval.
"We hope so at this stage (it will be approved), it's up to council to decide but it will certainly be of benefit to everyone," Mr Gunn said.
