Resort hotels are becoming increasingly popular and one of the latest to begin construction is the Viridian Resort and Spa in Noosa, Queensland, Australia, on the popular Sunshine Coast.
The resort is the third phase of a development, started in 2001, that already boasts eight luxury houses and 23 villas. The first phase was completed in 2005, and the second phase, which has a gross area of 56,510ft², and cost A$17m, was completed in October 2006.
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Stage one and two were jointly developed by Ariadne and Leighton Properties. Ariadne kept itself out of the third stage of development. The first two stages of the project won the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Award for Best Large Medium Development in Queensland.
Viridian’s third-phase development
The resort spa is being developed in a joint venture between Leighton Properties and Macquarie Group on a 20ha prime site in Noosa and has required an investment of over A$300m since construction started in early 2007. When the resort spa is completed in July 2010, it will have 192 units for sale or lease.
The resort is set to be managed by the Outrigger Enterprises Group, a Hawaiian concern privately owned by the Honolulu-based Kelley family, which reached an agreement with the developers brokered by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in mid-2006.
The property is to be branded the Outrigger Viridian Resort & Spa. Outrigger will provide facilities and full management services at the hotel.
Resort facilities
When completed, the resort and spa will feature 11 buildings, centred around the resort’s premier leisure facilities that will include two resort swimming pools, a mini theatre, poolside dining, bar, restaurant, fully equipped gym and sauna, premier day spa with 15 treatment rooms, games and entertainment complex, access to walking tracks within the National Park, retail areas, relaxation lounges and the largest conference facilities in the region, which will be able to host over 500 delegates.
As well as the room operations, Outrigger will operate the resort’s fine dining restaurant including poolside service and bar, room-service and conference facilities at the resort. The luxury on-site day spa will be managed by a separate operator. The 439m² freehold strata lot situated within the Viridian Resort and Spa is currently being offered for tenancy by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
Sales of units
Sales of the Viridian Resort & Spa units and villas have been strong, with sales to date in excess of AU$50m since April 2007 from a wide cross section of buyers across Australia. The new 79m² one-bedroom strata tiled condominium apartments on offer in the resort include contemporary design with high ceilings.
The accommodation includes a spacious living and dining area, which opens on to a generous tiled terrace, sleek designer kitchen with stone bench and stainless steel appliances, bedroom with built-in wardrobe, stylish bathroom with separate bath and shower, and dedicated laundry.
The ocean and national park views are exemplary and safe from further development.
The one bedroom resort flat price starts from A$535,000 and the three-bedroom villas will cost over A$1.4m. The operator has already secured $3m.
Construction and the environment
The site will retain the area’s outstanding natural features with any damage caused by construction activities remedied. There will be extensive rehabilitation of the site’s natural habitat by the developers, including the planting of over 36,000 native trees. In addition there will be a boardwalk linking the resort to the area’s popular Hastings Street, together with the inclusion of water-saving and energy-efficient features.
It is hoped that the Viridian project will blend seamlessly with Noosa Hill’s natural environment. The Viridian Noosa project stages one and two have already been highly commended for their environmentally friendly design.
The development was recognised by the UDIA, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) and the Noosa Glossies Awards, as the best in the region.
The Resort and Spa design was created by the acclaimed Australian architect John Mainwaring and will employ the same eco-sensitive construction techniques and design principles used in the first two phases.
Viridian Noosa has also been active in the surrounding community in several ways, including giving the local council more than ten hectares of conservation reserve and a public pathway linking Laguna Lookout in the Noosa National Park to Hastings Street.
The Viridian Resort and Spa is approximately 500m from Hastings Street. This may be the last major development approved for the Laguna Bay / Hastings Street region.
