HotelsPhil BartschSun 03 May 26
Construction Begins on $150m Crowne Plaza Maroochydore
Shovels have hit the ground on a $150-million hotel build on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, as the region races to plug an accommodation gap for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Industry estimates point to a shortfall of more than 2400 hotel rooms—equivalent to around 10 new hotels—required to meet anticipated demand in the lead-up to Games and beyond.
Backed by Felix Capital, the Crowne Plaza Maroochydore will deliver 180 rooms alongside more than 900sq m of flexible meetings and events space, anchored by a 600sq m ballroom.
Leisure amenities will include a 30m swimming pool, gym and sauna. As well, it will feature a 167-seat all-day dining venue, a 180-seat outdoor pool bar and lounge, a signature ground-floor restaurant and a lobby bar.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Australasia and Pacific managing director Matthew Tripolone said the project aligned with shifting demand fundamentals.
“The Sunshine Coast is evolving rapidly as both a business and leisure destination, and we are seeing strong demand for high-quality, internationally branded accommodation,” he said.
Capping the 13-storey development at 15-19 Ocean Street will be AER Residence—a residential component comprising 24 luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments spread across the upper four levels.
The apartments—starting from $1.65 million—have already recorded strong early uptake, with a quarter sold.
Felix Capital director Michael Maroun said buyers were drawn to the combination of lifestyle and location, as well as access to hotel amenities.
“They want to be part of Maroochydore’s growth while living in a high-quality, architecturally designed home within walking distance of key retail, dining, health and lifestyle infrastructure,” he said.
“This project is about more than delivering a hotel, it’s about supporting the Sunshine Coast’s transformation into a world-class destination ahead of the Olympics and beyond.
“Maroochydore is fast emerging as a major commercial and lifestyle hub for the region and our project will put Ocean Street and Maroochydore at the epicentre of development over the next few years.”
The hotel development has benefited from a Temporary Local Planning Instrument introduced for the area that took effect in April 2025 and allows the development of new hotels and the redevelopment of existing premises for hotels.
It enabled the Crowne Plaza Maroochydore to increase its height above the initial overlay code of 40m to 47 metres.
The development is slated for completion in 2028.
