Beulah hunts for hotel operator

Southbank by Beulah, proposed for construction at the corner of City Rd and Southbank Boulevard, announced a global search for a luxury hotel brand to operate the hotel component of its project late last year.

“Set to transform the city’s landscape,” developer Beulah International said the hotel would revolutionise Melbourne’s hospitality scene by speaking to the future of both domestic and international travellers.

It comes after the developer submitted its plan for what would be Australia’s tallest tower at the BMW site on City Rd to the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne for approval in August.

The 356-metre Southbank by Beulah project is a refinement of architects UNStudio and Cox Architecture’s twin tower design, underpinned by “creativity and cultural innovation”. The proposal includes a 270,000 sqm mixed-use lifestyle precinct, which includes apartments, commercial offices, conference and entertainment centre and 7250sqm of public green spaces.

The vision for its five-star hotel includes more than 150 rooms, a health and wellness precinct, a rooftop Michelin star restaurant and bar and multiple event spaces.

Looking to Melbourne’s existing hotel landscape, Beulah managing director Jiaheng Chan said traditionally these overseas brands would look to Collins St as the city’s key hotel destination.

“Brands that are very selective and careful in choosing both cities and locations for their hotels have expressed strong interest in being part of our development,” he said.

The chosen hotel brand for the project is expected to be revealed in May •