Accor Signs 368-Room ibis Hotel in Brisbane, Australia

Accor has signed a management agreement with Middle East hotel owner and developer, Action Hotels, who will develop what will be the largest ibis hotel in Australasia in a prime commercial location in central Brisbane.

Construction of the multi-million dollar 368-room ibis Brisbane Elizabeth Street hotel will commence later this year with a scheduled opening slated for early 2016.

The ibis located at 40 Elizabeth Street will be one of the most centrally located hotels in the CBD, adjoining the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall and walking distance to government departments and the Brisbane Casino.

Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk said the $90 million development, which would create more than 400 jobs during construction and 80 positions during operation, would be Action Hotels’ first investment in Queensland, building on a predominately Melbourne-based portfolio. He said the entry of Action Hotels into the Brisbane market was further evidence of the confidence being shown by domestic and overseas companies to invest in Brisbane.

“For the past two years our economic development board, Brisbane Marketing, has been spreading the strong message about Brisbane’s hotel investment opportunities,” Cr Quirk said. “Brisbane has a very positive hotel investment pitch and continues to grow its reputation as a destination of choice for business, investment and major events ... As Australia’s New World City, Brisbane is attracting new hotel developments and this increased supply of hotel rooms improves our ability to attract visitors, as well as providing many new jobs and opportunities for local businesses. Developments such as this represent confidence, appetite and opportunity at home and abroad.”

Accor and Action Hotels have been working together in economy hotels in Australia and the Middle East since 2006, and currently have five operating ibis hotels and a further three due to open by the end of 2016.