The City of Perth has approved a 10-storey extension to a West Perth hotel.
Under the proposed redevelopment of the Murray Hotel, the addition would add another 80 hotel rooms to the property, which is located on the corner of Murray and Thomas Streets, across the road from the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the hotel was at the western gateway to the city and located next to bus routes.
“There is a need to increase the amount of hotel accommodation in our growing city and this development shows how existing hotel sites can be adapted,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“The Murray Hotel currently is a four-level building with 30 rooms, but if the plans by Project 37 Pty Ltd eventuate, a 10-level addition will be constructed at the rear of the property.
‘With the property being in a prominent location, the City of Perth will pay close attention to the aesthetics of the building’s external finishes and the development’s impact on surrounding properties.”
Owner Kate Sinfield told WA Business News last month the 3.5-4 star hotel needed to be updated from its 1960s exterior, and with demand for accommodation high in Perth, it was decided an expansion was the best way forward.
“Most of the new hotels coming online are all 5 or 6 stars and there’s a huge need for 3.5 and 4 star hotels, which is where people just want good quality, clean and comfortable accommodation that’s affordable,” she said.
Ms Sinfield added there was a huge need for that in West Perth for business people, and also for those that needed somewhere to stay when visiting Princess Margaret Hospital.
Ms Sinfield said she was talking to companies in Melbourne and Thailand about pre-fabricated construction that will see the expansion completed quicker, with a target end date of May 2014.