IHG Launches ‘voco Melbourne Central’ Hotel to be Part of ‘380 Melbourne’ Development

Date: October 2018

Location: Part of the under-construction ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper, Australia

Name: voco Melbourne Central – opening July 2020

No. of Keys: 252

Seller: The property is a part of the under-construction ‘380 Melbourne’ skyscraper with a high end residential offering that is being developed and built by Melbourne-based Brady Group.

Buyer: The Brady Group, a real estate company established in 1999 with some 11 developments in Melbourne’s CBD. Their hotel involvement includes the 4.5 star Brady Hotel Central Melbourne, a 146 boutique hotel over 16 floors,

IHG has officially signed its third Voco in Australia since the brand’s global launch in June, to open the voco Melbourne Central.

The brand is expected to strengthen IHG’s offer in the US$40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further US$20 billion by 2025.

Guests will get a sense of arrival as they check in at the Sky Lobby on level seven, affording magnificent views of the city as they enjoy a locally-inspired welcome treat.

Once checked in, all the elements of the voco life will be on offer, including rooms that are designed around the ‘Me Time’ concept with indulgent beds for a premium sleep experience, high quality showers, innovative lighting and user-friendly technology.

Beyond guest rooms, the hotel will feature a pool, gym, meeting space, all day dining restaurant and bar, and – importantly for Melbourne – Barista served coffee and a great breakfast.

Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s Senior Director of Development – Australasia, said: “voco is inspired by the Latin for ‘come together’, so we are excited to introduce a place for Melbournians, Australians and guests from around the world to do just that.

voco Melbourne Central will be located at 380 Lonsdale Street in the absolute heart of Melbourne, just moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the GPO.

Tony Brady, Managing Director at Brady Group, said: “Melbourne is famous for its distinctive, individual character and standing out from the crowd. 380 Melbourne is Brady Group’s largest project to date and will be an icon on the Melbourne skyline, so we knew we needed a distinctive brand like voco to complement the high end residential and retail offering development.

The Melbourne tourism market continues to have a strong outlook and we think that voco, powered by the global IHG engine, will give business and leisure guests a reliably different way to stay in the heart of the city.”

IHG currently has 48 hotels operating under four brands in Australasia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 22 in the pipeline, including voco, EVEN Hotels and Hotel Indigo.

THPT Comment: IHG making true strides in Australasia with this wealth of hotels and brands.

First Seen: The Hotel Conversation