Crystalbrook Collection plans luxury hotel for Newcastle

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Crystalbrook Collection Hotels and Resorts has won the tender to acquire Newcastle’s iconic ‘Roundhouse’ Council Administrative Centre and intends to convert the building into a luxury five-star hotel, ready to open in late 2020. The hotel is to be called Kingsley, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel. The name follows a Crystalbrook Collection naming convention where each of their hotels is given a gender-neutral name and its own unique personality. The name Kingsley is a nod to Newcastle’s heritage and the city’s earlier name Kingstown dating back to 1804. CrystalBrook says the conversion will be the first five-star hotel for the city of Newcastle. Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie said he was thrilled with the result of the tender: “There’s really nothing like this building, it has a strong identity and connection to the city of Newcastle. I see a lot of potential. “We think the location, with the City Hall, the Civic Theatre, the Art Gallery and the War Memorial Cultural Centre right on the doorstep, makes it a perfect location for a five-star hotel.” Davie said he had been watching Newcastle’s growth in recent years and felt strongly that Crystalbrook Collection should become a contributor to the future growth of the city. Initial studies indicated the ‘Roundhouse’ could accommodate at least 100 five-star hotel rooms. Initial renders developed by Newcastle’s Barney Collins of EJE Architecture also show the introduction of a rooftop restaurant and recreational area complete with a swimming pool. To date, Crystalbrook Collection has committed to investments in excess of $800 million in Australia including six luxury five and six-star hotels currently operating or under development. In the last quarter alone, Crystalbrook Collection has opened Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort in Cairns and acquired Little Albion, a Crystalbrook Collection Boutique Hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney.

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