voco Gold Coast Hotel
The flagship hotel in a global launch
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Location
Hamilton Avenue, Gold Coast
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Completed
November 2019
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Architect
studioaria
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Type
Fitout, Refurbishment
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Duration
12 weeks
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Project Manager
TM Insight
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Rating
Green Star
Delivering a flagship hotel
Just steps away from some of Queensland’s famous beaches sits the newly refurbished voco™ Gold Coast hotel.
Formerly the Watermark Hotel, Salter Brothers Hotel Group acquired the site with the vision of rebranding and revitalising the Surfers Paradise hotel. The landmark multi-million dollar renovation has positioned voco Gold Coast as the first hotel in the brand’s global launch – setting the standard for voco hotels worldwide.
Our construction team, together with design firm studioaria and project management firm TM Insight, has refurbished the internal and external areas including guestrooms, lobby, reception, café and bar, as well as outdoor pools and entertainment areas.
New executive suites with stunning views
Perched on the 20th floor are four Executive Suites. Two suites – aptly named the Entertainers Suites – are laid out across double and triple rooms featuring kitchens with stone benchtops and a contemporary fitout that encourages hotel guests to enjoy the space with company. Two additional Retreat Suites offer private escapes with indoor terraces and freestanding bathtubs to take in the glorious views of the Gold Coast horizon.
Providing the stunning ocean views for hotel guests [staying in the Executive Suites] was no mean feat. Installing the new external windows at 20-storeys high required high-risk abseiling works but the results speak for themselves.
Reducing timelines to meet the holiday rush
Being highly experienced in live environments, our team delivered the project within a 12-week time frame with no closure to the hotel. While this process typically takes 16-weeks to complete, expert planning and close collaboration with the client saw our team reduce timelines by one month.
Delivering the refurbishment in time for the Christmas rush and the client's rebranding requirements saw our team re-sequence the construction programme - compressing initial timelines at entry level.
The hotel remained fully operational throughout all refurbishment works with extra attention paid to work zone cleanliness, site safety management, and noise mitigation.
Noise mitigation - more than just hoarding
During the guest room renovation programme, we were extremely sensitive to the client's business needs and guests' stays. Minimising disruption to daily operations and the comfort of paying guests was a priority.
We occupied three floors at a time; working on the 'middle' floor and leaving the one above and below as 'buffers' against noise. Each floor was completed within two days to further minimise disruptions.
All noisy works were undertaken strictly between 10 am and 2 pm; after check-out and before check-in times so as not to interfere with the hotel's welcome experience. "Our team stayed in constant communication with hotel management, ensuring they were always aware of any interruptions they may experience," explains Construction Manager, Phil Harcourt.
An immersive fitout for the full voco experience
Complementing the overall seaside ambience of the hotel is voco's new brand palette of rich navy and vibrant yellow. Featured throughout the suites and public spaces are pops of colour that instantly revitalises Watermark's previously muted brown décor.
"By simply removing the shutters, brightening up the walls, and injecting voco's signature colours, we have given the hotel a well-needed refresh," says Kate Greenwood of studioaria.
Charming touches of artwork and soft furnishings add to the character of the hotel - drawing guests deeper into the voco experience.
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