A $38 million hotel featuring 145 rooms, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a public garden has been proposed for a large vacant lot on Albany Highway in Victoria Park.
Development Details
The eight-storey project, situated at the intersection of Albany Highway and Rathay Street, seeks to redevelop a site that formerly housed a car wash and motor repair business. Planners describe it as a landmark gateway development for the town centre.
The hotel will offer a mix of studio and one-bedroom accommodations, along with two ground-floor commercial tenancies, a hotel-linked food and beverage outlet, meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre, and a pool area.
According to planning documents, the hotel is "envisioned as a new destination within the precinct, offering a place for both residents and visitors to gather, relax and engage with the amenity and vibrancy of Victoria Park."
Commercial and Public Spaces
A 316.7-square-metre commercial space facing Albany Highway could be used for cafes, restaurants, retail stores, offices, consulting rooms, bars, or galleries.
A publicly accessible waiting garden is proposed adjacent to the hotel entrance on Albany Highway, featuring seating, shaded areas, and space for public art.
The application states that the design "reflects Victoria Park's pedestrian-focused and people-centred character" and uses a "continuous canopy" to create a "well-defined street corridor bringing the built form closer to pedestrian activity."
Parking and Sustainability
The hotel will provide 66 car parking bays accessible via Rathay Street to reduce traffic on Albany Highway.
Sustainability features include rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient building systems, and all-electric infrastructure.
Community and Economic Impact
The report argues the project would help address a shortage of visitor accommodation in the area, stating: "The proposed development will provide critically undersupplied tourist accommodation and commercial offerings for the evolving Victoria Park town centre."
The State Design Review Panel noted the proposal had "potential to make a positive contribution to the Albany Highway activity corridor as a mid-rise hotel development."
The application also highlights a "community benefit in respect of providing an attractive setting for business and social interactions" and that it will "positively contribute to the locality through the creation of jobs."
The proposal is open for public comment until July 12 and can be viewed online.
