A $130 million MGallery by Sofitel hotel is to be constructed at Melbourne's sprawling Chadstone super-size shopping centre to cater for the expanding office and tourism trade in the area.
With its, almost, own eco-system, Chadstone shopping centre, has undergone a massive make-over and upgrade and is now looking to expand with more office space, of which the Sofitel MGallery will help to provide the accommodation.
âWe expect demand for the hotel will be driven by business travellers, tourists and visitors to both Chadstone and offices of the 17 international and national businesses located on site, as well as the nearby Monash precinct employment hub which employs 75,000 people,â Ms Viney said.
Designed by Melbourne-based architects, Bates Smart, it will be the first hotel to target a 5 Star Green Star rating using the new generation Green Star â Design/As Built v1.1 rating tool.
Aside from Vicinity Centres and Gandel's Chadstone mall, which has completed its stage 40 and opened the Legoland Discovery Centre, this year, the Chadstone-Monash corridor is one of the busiest in Melbourne, due to the university.
The arrival of Amazon to Dandenong South will also boost demand in the area for commercial and hotel real estate.
The Chadstone centre is the biggest in the country with 600 retailers across more than 200,000 square metres â roughly equal to 10 Melbourne Cricket Grounds - or 16 Sydney Cricket Grounds.
AccorHotels will manage the luxury hotel under its MGallery by Sofitel banner with construction commencing in early 2018.
Vicinity Centres executive general manager, development, Carolyn Viney said the hotel development is a key element of Chadstoneâs masterplan.
''The Sofitel MGallery is a bespoke brand which we feel reflects the luxury component of Chadstone,'' Ms Viney said.
''Since opening this latest stage, there has been a significant interest in Chadstone from tourism and also the surrounding area of the Monash corridor.''
Construction and management of the new 250-room hotel will create more than 1,300 new jobs, including 1,250 jobs in construction and 120 ongoing roles in the operation of the hotel, boosting employment in the Monash area.
The hotel will be situated on Princes Highway between Chadstone and the fully leased commercial office tower.
Ms Viney said there will be views of Melbourneâs cityscape, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges.
âThe hotel development is a key element of Chadstoneâs masterplan. Our vision is to build upon Chadstoneâs iconic status, and for the shopping centre and hotel to become one internationally-recognised lifestyle, entertainment and tourism destination.â
Fiona Mackenzie, the general manager of Chadstone shopping centre said it is a desination and on the ''tourist map''.
''Chadstone is a destination and the hotel is the right fit for the centre,'' Ms Mackenzie said.
The centre is Australiaâs largest centre by sales volume. In the 12 month period post the launch of the major redevelopment, total centre sales are up 29.1 per cent exceeding $1.85 billion at September 2017.
''Coming into Christmas, Chadstone will hold a 35-hour trading period. We are expecting a busy week in the lead-up to Christmas.''
Ms Viney said all bases are covered at the centre with the international brands of H&M;, Zara and Uniqlo, as well as the booming cosmetics area with Mecca Maxima.