Yarra Valley Hotel Boom

A new $120 Million upscale hotel will land in Australia’s premier wine region of Yarra Valley in 2021, offering visitors to the area unique luxury accommodations.

Operated by global hotel manager IHG under its new Voco brand, the hotel will offer 170 rooms and 20 cabins, while Barnes Capital will be developing the hotel complex.

GALLERY

The building itself has been described as a “quirky design” and will stand six-storeys at one end, narrowing down to one-storey at the opposite end. “As one of Australia’s premier wine regions, the last thing people want when they arrive in Yarra Valley is a vanilla experience,” Barnes said.

The Yarra Valley hotel will be built on a large block at 486 Maroondah Highway near Lilydale and will feature a lavender farm, mirrored maze, and amphitheatre.

The announcement marks the first major hotel in the region, famed for its chardonnay and pinot noir, with plans to open to the public in 2021.

IHG Australasia senior development director Abhijay Sandilya said the partnership with Barnes on the Yarra Valley offering marks Voco’s second signing.

“It continues IHG’s ambition to take our brands into regional markets, including suburban micro-markets close to Australian capital cities.”

IHG launched the 4.5 star Voco brand in June with the first signing for the brand in Australia.

The IHG partnership builds upon the $200 million Holiday Inn, designed by architects Hachem, planned for Melbourne’s 737 Sydney Road Coburg.

Barnes Capital is involved with a number of development projects including $55 million Spectra at 219 Thomas Street in Dandenong, The Precinct, a mixed commercial and residential offering in Truganina, and a luxury 12-townhouse offering at 878 Bridge Road in Doreen.