Luxury apartment developer Moda has won approval for an $85-million transformation of a 140-year-old pub on Victoria’s Phillip Island.
Bass Coast Shire Council has voted to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the Isle of Wight Hotel and adjoining land, which will include a new seven-storey mixed-use 163-key hotel with a pool deck overlooking the ocean, rooftop basketball and tennis courts; and a three-storey, 49-room key-worker hostel with shared facilities.
The approved plans call for a pub, bistro, hotel dining and a high-end restaurant in what amounts to an hotel, dining and retail precinct directly opposite the Cowes Jetty, along the town’s main beachfront thoroughfare.
Provision has been made for 197 basement car parking bays under the hotel. A retail laneway will include four shops.
Moda Phillip Island Pty Ltd—a joint venture between Melbourne developers Salta Properties, Tabet Development Group and Moda—is behind the redevelopment at 9-11 The Esplanade and adjoining land at 2-8 Bass Avenue.
The group acquired the 8600-square-metre site opposite in 2021 from aged care developer John Matthies. At the time, it had a guide price of $10.8 million.
The precinct is being designed by Alexander & Co, the architects and interior designers behind a number of high-end hospitality projects including Burleigh Pavilion on the Gold Coast, and Manly Wharf Bar and the Imperial Hotel in Sydney.
Colonial Leisure Group, established by the Morris Family in 2008 and which has a diverse portfolio of venues across Australia, has been appointed the operating partner.
The hotel, which famously hosted Fred Astaire, Ava Gardner and Gregory Peck during filming of the movie On the Beach in 1958, was destroyed by fire twice—in 1925 and again in 2010.
Since then, it has largely sat vacant, according to the Bass council.
Mayor Michael Whelan said the development would return the site to a landmark Phillip Island destination, create local employment, support the economy and provide much-needed accommodation for visitors and workers.
“Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of Bass Coast, but we currently lack enough accommodation to keep visitors in the region for more than a day,” Whelan said.
“The proposed $85-million development, which will be built on the former site of the iconic Isle of Wight Hotel, will help address the significant shortfall of high-quality accommodation for visitors and workers on Phillip Island.”
Under terms of the approval process, the council has insisted a substantial Moreton Bay Fig tree at the front of the site be retained.
Moda said the design team have suggested a beer garden surround the tree.
Managing director Ed Farquharson said they were looking forward to capturing the nostalgia and spirit of the original hotel and bringing it back to life.
“Along with returning The Isle of Wight Pub, our proposed development seeks to provide an estimated $55-million to $76-million boost to the local economy annually and 150 new employment opportunities.”
During an exhibition period the council received 39 objections and seven submissions of support.
