International chain takes first WA foothold

An international hotel chain has secured its first foothold in WA’s hospitality industry with a management contract for a $55 million development in North Fremantle.

Monteath Properties has secured Ramada International Hotels & Resorts, a member of one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, Marriott International Inc, to operate a four-star hotel on a prime riverfront location at North Fremantle.

The hotel will be developed by Monteath Properties in Northbank Village, a up-market residential, commercial and lifestyle development.

Monteath Properties and Ramada International, which is represented by more than 1,100 hotels in 17 countries around the world, have entered into agreement on a management contract for the hotel, part of a larger $78 million complex which includes five luxury penthouses for owner-occupiers, four live-work apartments and retail and hospitality outlets.

The hotel will be known as Ramada Riverfront Hotel, Fremantle, and is scheduled to open in mid-2001. Construction will begin early next year.

Monteath Properties managing director Bruce Monteath said the prospectus would be one of the first issued under the new Managed Investments Act.

“The new Act gives greater protection to owners of suites by ensuring full disclosure and also that there is always a single entity responsible for their interests,” he said.

WA Tourism Minister Norman Moore called the four-star, Ramada International hotel deal “great news” for Fremantle.

“It will add to the stock of accommodation in our premier city at a time when the WA Tourism Commission, through its Brand WA strategy and the Elle Macpherson advertising campaign, is working hard to bring more tourists to WA,” Mr Moore said.

He said it was important the state was able to meet increasing demand for accommodation in the years ahead.

For this reason, projects such as the Ramada Riverfront Hotel were very welcome and a vote of confidence in the future of tourism in WA.