Marriott International Circles Caloundra Resort Plans

Boutique hotel plans have been filed for Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and a major global hotel operator is already waiting in the wings.

The eight-storey, 77-key hotel proposal is earmarked for a 635sq m site at 31 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.

Victorian-based lifestyle resort development company 5ive Co, led by Jamie Baldwin and Daniel Sette, is behind the proposal.

“The applicant intends that this site is developed to the highest architectural standards, using best-practice approaches in providing an innovative building which is in touch with the essence of Caloundra and its sophisticated beach atmosphere,” a planning report said.

Under the scheme designed by Fraser and Partners, it would feature 10 to 13 suites per floor above a ground-level lobby, reception, cafe and two basement parking levels.

Capping the proposed development, a planned rooftop reception area, pool and outdoor seating area would provide unobstructed view lines over Bulcock Beach and the Pumicestone Passage.

“The design is architecturally striking in respect of its form, external material palette and colours,” the documents said. “External materials and colours draw inspiration from the rocky headlands of Caloundra Headland.”

The application is accompanied by a letter from Marriott International, confirming its interest in operating and managing an internationally branded first-class hotel on the site, premised on a 25-year hotel management agreement.

▲ The rooftop will offer views of the northern tip of Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage.

In the letter, Marriott’s Asia-Pacific hotel development vice-president Richard Crawford deemed the Sunshine Coast was “a priority market in the context of Marriott’s assertive expansion plans in the Asia-Pacific region”. 

He said 5ive Co’s Caloundra proposal and another at Mooloolaba were “rare and compelling” opportunities to introduce new internationally branded hotels “to a region with excellent prospects of growth and long-term success—but a well-known deficiency in high-quality modern visitor accommodation”.

“Our interest in your projects is premised on 25-year hotel management agreement for two hotels, each offering 70 to 150 guest rooms,” Crawford said.

His recommendation was for the planned hotels to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection brand, a global portfolio of more than 300 first-class hotels.

▲ The hotel’s look will be inspired by the Caloundra headland.

Citing a shortfall of 2450 hotel rooms to meet forecast demand for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, it noted the Sunshine Coast Council had prepared a draft Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) that sought to encourage new hotel developments.

“The proposal assists with satisfying an urgent need for hotel accommodation,” the planning report said.