Media Releases

We are pleased to announce that we signed the Management Agreements for a new project in the state of Victoria, Australia – the Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Dandenong!

The project is a mixed-used tower which has a residential component and also some retail on the ground floor. The Oakwood will occupy the top half of the building.

The project has just broken ground and the opening date is projected to be Q1 2021.

The project is located at the city centre of Dandenong, one of Melbourne’s leading urban renewal locations, which is south-east from the Melbourne CBD (about 30km away). Dandenong is among Victoria’s oldest metropolitan cities, with an estimated $28 billion economy and possessing one of the largest retail and commercial centres. Dandenong is also responsible for roughly half of Victoria’s total manufacturing output, making it one of Victoria’s leading urban renewal locations.

Guest for this property is expected to consist of both corporate and leisure.

This property gives us a foothold in the Victoria area!

Last Tuesday saw the signing of Buxton Constructions as the successful tender for the $60 million Spectra building located on Thomas Street, in the heart of Dandenong’s CBD.

The project is being developed by boutique Melbourne investment firm Barnes Capital and boasts 98 hotel rooms, 56 apartments, café, restaurant, bar, retail & commercial space as well as meeting facility, gym and rooftop bar & entertaining area.

With a striking and colourful facade and modern lines, the creation of Finnis Architects will rise up 20 levels above the Dandenong CBD providing sweeping views of the Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne city and out towards Port Phillip Bay, for those lucky enough to call Spectra home.

“As a $60 million development, Spectra is a pivotal building for the Dandenong region and Barnes Capital wanted to ensure the best partners were on board to bring this vision to life. During the tender process, we sought a construction partner with a strong track record that demonstrated ability in mixed-use hotel developments.

Buxton not only exceeded our expectations for the size and scale of the projects they have delivered but, more importantly, they have a long-standing relationship with our directors which will allow for exceptional execution for the project.

I’m confident in their ability and delivery on this breath-taking project and we’re excited to partner with Buxton to change the skyline of the south-east with Spectra” Martyn Barnes, MD, Barnes Capital.

For more information on Spectra, please visit our website myspectra.com.au, email [email protected] or call 1300 107 451.

The hotel sector is in an expansion phase with new developments across the country to cater to the strong tourism sector.

These include the new $120 million “voco” brand from the InterContinental Hotel in Victoria’s Yarra Valley wine region. The hotel, conference, distillery and restaurant complex is being developed by Barnes Capital.

View the SMH article here

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has unveiled plans for three new hotels in Melbourne, included its first dual-branded hotel project in Australia on Bourke Street Mall as overseas hotel chains ramp up their presence in the Victorian capital.

Read more about this exciting project in Wednesday’s edition of the AFR property section. https://lnkd.in/eYFQaK8

Melbourne’s famed Yarra Valley wine region is set to get a 170-room hotel run by global hotel manager IHG under its new upscale “voco” brand.

The $120 million hotel, conference, distillery and restaurant complex being developed by Barnes Capital will add significant investment to the region where upmarket winery Levantine Hill Estate is also splashing $10 million on the construction of a Fender Katsalidis designed wine-tasting cellar.

Read the full article in the SMH

US hotel chain Hyatt is expanding its presence in Australia with the announcement of two new hotels in Melbourne within a week.

Alongside a 280-room Hyatt Centric on Downie Street in the Melbourne CBD to be developed by Paul Little, Hyatt has struck a deal with Barnes Capital for a 200-room Hyatt Place in Springvale in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Click here to view the AFR article.