Accor is focusing on expanding its portfolio in Australia and has announced several projects across the country. Accor, which is one of the largest hotel operators in Australia, unveiled plans of adding to its luxury offerings and launching Pullman in Tasmania.
Red Panda Property, the Tasmania-based urban regeneration specialists, announced that Accor will manage a luxury hotel in Launceston, Tasmania. A heritage-listed educational building will be revitalized to open as Pullman Launceston.
Designed by design firm DKO, the $45 million hotel will feature 139 rooms, restaurants, bars and events spaces. The hotel is located on a hillside on Wellington Street and is scheduled to open in 2027.
Sitting on a site which has cultural and heritage significance, the hotel will be designed by hotel development advisors Cre8tive Hotels & Lifestyle to blend heritage with contemporary elements. Once complete, the hotel is expected to be the second tallest building in Launceston and offer views of the city and adjacent Tamar River. The hotel will have a rooftop bar featuring local produce and wines from the Tamar Valley.
Pullman Launceston is Accor’s sixth property in the city. At present, Pullman has 19 hotels in key metropolitan cities across Australia and more in the pipeline.
Meanwhile in Sydney, Accor is adding the iconic Hotel Woolstore 1888 to its collection, following a hotel management agreement with the hotel’s new owners, Shakespeare Property Group.
Shakespeare Property acquired the heritage-listed hotel in April reportedly for A$55 million ($35.8 million). The hotel was owned by boutique chain Ovolo, which acquired it in 2014 for A$33 million ($21.48 million) from 8Hotels, the report added.
Dating back to 1888, the Darling Harbour building is the fourth oldest of 21 surviving wool stores in the city. The four-story sandstone and brick building first opened as a hotel in 2013 with 90 rooms, a restaurant and wine bar, a private dining room and events spaces. The hotel is renowned for its industrial design, with high ceilings, a seven-story atrium and large windows. Located on the corner of Pyrmont and Murray Streets, the hotel sits behind the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour and the soon-to-be-redeveloped Harbourside Shopping Centre.
Hotel Woolstore 1888 marks the fifth property for which Accor joined hands with Shakespeare Property in Australia, following previous partnerships for Pullman Cairns International, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort and Peppers Marysville.
Launched in 2023, Handwritten Collection aims to bring together small to mid-size hotels. A year since it was launched, the brand has opened two hotels in Australia – Hotel Morris Sydney and Wonil Hotel Perth. In the 12 months since it was launched, Handwritten Collection’s global portfolio consisted of 12 hotels, with nearly 25 in the pipeline.