Markets, shops part of Guildford Hotel plans

The owners of the Guildford Hotel have submitted redevelopment plans to the City of Swan that include a small retail complex and fresh food market at the southern end of the site.

The Guildford Hotel Redevelopment Group’s plans comprise a refurbishment of the hotel in heritage colours, including a wine bar or boutique brewery, restaurant, bar area, alfresco dining areas and a beer garden.

At the southern end of the site, a high-end fresh food market showcasing Swan Valley produce will be incorporated alongside four other smaller shops.

The proposal will incorporate upscale accommodation and a function room upstairs.

Project group lead adviser Jeff Braddock, said the plans had received a positive response from the Guildford Association.

“A lot of thought has gone into creating what we intend to be a new hospitality hub for Guildford, representing the best of the past and present in a sophisticated, integrated development,” Mr Braddock said.

“This is however just Stage One of the project. We now must go to public consultation, receive approval for the development with conditions that are acceptable to the owners and then undertake a vigorous marketing program to attract tenants – without whom the proposal cannot be economic.

“Once tenants are signed up we then have to seek finance, tender for builders and start construction.

“There is still a significant amount of work to be done, but we are very excited that we have reached this stage and can now get the process properly underway.”

The hotel has been sitting in disrepair since September 2008, when it was gutted by fire.

It has been the focus of widespread awareness campaigns from Guildford residents, who feared the hotel could not be restored if left in its decrepit state.

The owners of the hotel include well-known Perth finance executives Domenic and Luke Martino from Indian Ocean Group.

A 21-day public comment period for the redevelopment group’s proposal will be managed by the City of Swan.