Kimpton to enter Australia this year
by Lauren Jade Hill | 20 May 2021 | Hotel Projects, Projects
IHG and Pro-Invest Group will open the first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in Australia in October 2021, following the conversion and repositioning of Primus Sydney.
Set to occupy a heritage building in the heart of New South Wales’ largest city, Kimpton Sydney is sure to turn plenty of heads.
The transformation of a landmark
Widely considered an industry pioneer for first introducing the boutique concept to the US in 1981, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has long been known for its signature service and experiences that aim to foster connections. Its latest outpost, which involves the conversion and repositioning of the existing Primus Sydney hotel, will take over a heritage-listed 1930s art-deco revival of inter-war period architecture that was once home to the Sydney Water Board. The guestrooms, lobby and F&B offering will all be revamped as part of the scheme.
“I can’t tell you how excited we are to finally bring the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand to Australia,” said Leanne Harwood, IHG’s managing director for Australasia, Japan and Pacific. “We are very mindful of how special the Kimpton brand is, and that’s why it’s been so important to us that we only bring it to market with the right owner and when we have the perfect property to bring it to life.
“The Primus Sydney property oozes Kimpton character. As soon as we saw it, we knew it had to wear the Kimpton badge, and we are so glad Pro-invest agrees and has put its full weight behind the brand. We are so proud to have such a great long-term partnership with Pro-invest that already includes 13 open or pipeline hotels across three IHG brands, and we look forward to continuing that growth together.”
The ideal fit for its location
Kimpton Sydney will incorporate 172 design-led guestrooms and suites, along with a range of culinary experiences including a lobby bar, rooftop restaurant and café, as well as a rooftop swimming pool and event space. The lifestyle programming here will encompass a number of complimentary experiences such as morning kickstart coffee and tea, yoga lessons, bike rental and Kimpton’s Social Hour.
Based on its philosophy and design approach, Kimpton feels like the ideal fit for the midtown precinct location of this Sydney hotel. It’s also within easy reach of the State Theatre and Capitol Theatre, as well as the QVB retail precinct, performing arts centres and the International Convention Centre.
Jan Smits, co-CEO at Pro-invest, said: “Such a uniquely beautiful and historic hotel called for a brand that would bring the guest experience to life, and as each Kimpton hotel is a hotel-of-one, individually designed to blend the surrounding environment with local culture, offering guests an authentic and playful experience, we knew it was the right choice.”
IHG and Pro-invest first collaborated on the 2016 opening of Australia’s first Holiday Inn Express in Sydney’s Macquarie Park. They have since expanded the partnership to include new brands, with six hotels in the pipeline at present under the Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo, Voco and now Kimpton flags.
IHG currently has 60 operating hotels across Australasia.
Related Articles
Greece welcomes growth of brands
Mar 29, 2024
The Greek hotel market is undergoing a transformation, as it shifts from a family-owned, package-led business into a more dynamic market similar to other European hotel markets along the Mediterranean. That transformation is seeing a new breed of professional...
The Set Collection introduces DEOS Mykonos as latest member
Mar 27, 2024
Set on a hilltop overlooking Mykonos town, DEOS takes on a contemporary Cycladic aesthetic and draws on the Mykonos essence for its wellness and culinary concepts. Island connection Opening this spring as a part of The Set Collection, DEOS Mykonos is crafted by the...
Minor Hotels to develop a new Anantara resort in Zanzibar
Mar 25, 2024
The new resort is expected to launch in 2027 with a collection of luxury villas and suites, as many as six restaurants and bars, a spa, and multiple pools. Growth across Africa Minor Hotels, and the Anantara brand, have been selected by the owning company, Dubai-based...
The Leinster opens as Dublin’s first hotel in the luxury lifestyle category
Mar 22, 2024
The Leinster is located just off Merrion Square, among the art galleries, design studios and museums at the heart of Georgian Dublin. A new lifestyle hub Making its debut this month, Dublin’s new destination hotel, The Leinster, is now welcoming guests into its 55...
Hilton builds residence brand
Mar 22, 2024
Hilton is expanding its luxury Waldorf Astoria brand from hotels into branded residences, and has signed its first standalone residence project for the brand outside the USA. Plans are in place for Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Downtown to be developed for a 2028...
Minor Hotels to introduce Avani brand to the Netherlands
Mar 20, 2024
The 163-key property will provide a contemporary canal-side retreat, drawing on Dutch history and art, for both business and leisure travellers. A culturally rich location The global hospitality group operating over 540 hotels across 56 countries, Minor Hotels, is...
ABOUT THE CHAIN
Newsletter
Subscribe to receive hotel industry news you can use!