Hotel Northbridge has been one of the big beneficiaries of the ‘clean up’ of Highgate, says licencee Matt Doughty.
Mr Doughty, also general manager of The Delron Group, said the multi-million dollar redevelopment of the hotel had elevated the tone of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Hotel Northbridge general manager Nicholas Dodd said converting the old back bar and car park into a function room rejuvenated the entire establishment overnight.
In the early 1970s, council restrictions on structures overhanging footpaths caused the balconies to be removed – to the detriment of the building.
Owner Ray Jackson bought the hotel five years ago and started to put the balconies back on after extending the footpath. Today, the facade has been completely restored.
Inside, marri and jarrah wood from the South West has been used for all the fittings, bars and furniture.
Mr Dodd said the forty-nine rooms and three penthouses – each with a spa – had been designed for long-stays with the complimentary use of laundries on each floor.
Mr Doughty said while the penthouses and standard rooms were good for cocktail parties and romantic getaways, the oldest section of the hotel has been converted into “upmarket backpacker accommodation”.
“We have a good local package deal market and travellers from the country like the location because they can enjoy the inner city proximity without the traffic,” he said.
