The 80-room hotel component will be operated by Quest Apartment Hotels, and marks Quest's first move into the Gold Coast market.

The eight-storey building will be known as Quest Robina and Lucia Residences, and will also include 24 residential apartments, 37 sqm of retail on the ground floor and a two-level basement car park.

The Robina development is one of four in the $182 million partnership between Pellicano and Quest, the largest and fastest-growing apartment hotel operator in Australasia.

Other projects will be located in Victoria's Ballarat, Preston and Geelong.

Gold Coast City Councillor Hermann Vorster, Quest’s James Shields and Pellicano’s Michael Kent at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: Supplied
Gold Coast City Councillor Hermann Vorster, Quest’s James Shields and Pellicano’s Michael Kent at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: Supplied

The four developments will yield a total of 328 Quest-operated hotel rooms, 99 residential apartments, 2500 sqm of retail space and a conference centre including theatrette.

Pellicano Managing Director Nando Pellicano said the three underlying elements of a good development are “quality design, in-demand location and uncomplicated access to premium residential and lifestyle amenity”, regardless of market fluctuations.

“This project’s convenient location and ease of access to lifestyle amenities paired with Quest’s solid reputation for delivering quality accommodation ensures our confidence in the success of this project,” he said.

“Quest’s accommodation offering represents a unique opportunity to add value to the residential element of this development by offering hotel-like services for the occupants of the building.”

Quest Apartment Hotels General Manager for Growth James Shields said the group was confident about the Robina market.

“We see Robina as a key commercial centre for the Gold Coast economy – evidenced by low office vacancy, iconic commercial towers and a range of drivers across the health, sporting and retail sectors to support future growth,” Mr Shields said.

He pointed out that there was strong demand on the Gold Coast - one of the reasons why Quest chose to move into this market.

“Business trips to the Gold Coast have experienced average growth of above 6.5 percent over the last six years which represents 10 percent of the overnight domestic travel market. This provides a wonderful opportunity for Quest Robina to provide quality accommodation to meet this demand.”

Demand for corporate traveller accommodation has been pushed up by major infrastructure in Robina including Cbus Stadium, Robina Hospital and The Rocket office tower, which are predicted to double the area’s workforce, according to Pellicano.

Gold Coast City Councillor Hermann Vorster said the project will become “a centrepiece development” for the precinct around the stadium.

“The development will capitalise on Robina’s reputation as an emerging sporting, health and commercial centre and is ideally placed on great public transport,” Cr Vorster said.

“Best of all it will generate more local jobs and give Robina an opportunity to share in the benefits of council’s push for the Gold Coast to remain Australia’s tourism capital.”

Pellicano acquired the Robina site from developer Robina Land Corporation in 2018 and received planning approval from Gold Coast City Council in August 2018.

The company announced in March it would develop a $100 million water park in Melbourne’s south-west in conjunction with hospitality group Zagame. The facility is said to include the largest indoor water park in the southern hemisphere.

Cover Image: The eight-storey development will tap into the growing corporate traveller market on the Gold Coast. (Image: Supplied)