State Government selects preferred proponent for Albany Waterfront hotel

The prospect of quality tourist accommodation on the Albany Waterfront has taken a step forward with the State Government today confirming formal discussions have commenced with a potential new developer and operator partnership.

  • Submission by Diploma Group as developers and Quest as operators selected as preferred proponent

  • 16-week due diligence period to start for development of 4-star tourism accommodation on Albany Waterfront

  • Final decision to be made once commercial negotiations completed

The prospect of quality tourist accommodation on the Albany Waterfront has taken a step forward with the State Government today confirming formal discussions have commenced with a potential new developer and operator partnership.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the Diploma Group and Quest Serviced Apartments had joined forces to submit a proposal to build quality waterfront short stay accommodation together with commercial facilities on the Albany foreshore.

"The Diploma and Quest partnership has been identified as the preferred proponent. Their proposal stood out from other submissions as potentially offering the best fit to complement the world-class Albany waterfront development," Mr Grylls said.

"Not only does the proposal offer 4-star accommodation development, it allows for the activation of the waterfront area through a range of ground level commercial uses that appear to be well suited to the needs of the Albany community."

The Minister said the State Government, through LandCorp, had been working around the clock to bring 4-star or higher tourism accommodation to Albany.

"Right from the start the objective has been, and will continue to be, to deliver the best possible outcome for Albany and the Great Southern region," he said.

"While we are encouraged to have achieved this level of progress in today's challenging market conditions, it is important for everyone to remember that we need to follow a due diligence process to ensure the proposal will  deliver the best result possible for this site."

The proponent will now enter into a 16-week due diligence period.

          Fact File

  • Request For Proposals for development of an Albany Waterfront Hotel was launched March 2012

  • Following an unsuccessful Exclusive Working Period with the original preferred proponent, discussions resumed with other interested parties in the last quarter 2012

Minister's office - 6552 5500