Construction has officially started on a new 11-story hotel tower at Novotel Geelong. The $75-million project by owner ERDI Group will add 134 guestrooms, including 15 apartment-style suites, bringing the hotel’s total to 243 rooms. Once completed, it is estimated to become the largest hotel in Geelong, a port city in the state of Victoria, Australia.
The new tower, located immediately south of the existing hotel, will include a state-of-the-art wellness centre and a 125-seat brasserie-style restaurant. This dining venue is designed to complement the hotel’s award-winning Tempo Kitchen & Bar, offering both indoor and outdoor seating and sweeping 360-degree panoramic views 36 metres above the bay. The development also adds 1,200 square metres of combined event space across both buildings, increasing the city’s capacity to host conferences, exhibitions and large-scale events.
The project is being delivered by Melbourne-based Ireland Brown Constructions and designed by PACT Architects, with the brief to create a contemporary, future-focused addition to Geelong’s skyline. It comes at a time of growing visitor numbers to the Bellarine and Surf Coast, as Geelong establishes itself as one of Victoria’s fastest-growing leisure and business destinations.
Since opening the hotel in 2001, ERDI Group has maintained Novotel Geelong as the top-performing property in the local market. The hotel has received multiple accolades, including Regional Accommodation of the Year at the 2024 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence, while Tempo Kitchen & Bar won Regional Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 awards. The hotel was also refreshed through a major refurbishment in 2018.
“Geelong is undergoing an incredible transformation, and we see an exciting future ahead for the city as both a visitor destination and a business hub. By creating Geelong’s largest and most impressive hotel, we’re not only elevating the Novotel Geelong experience but also making a long-term commitment to supporting the city’s growth and its thriving tourism economy. This expansion is about future-proofing the hotel, ensuring we can meet the needs of business and leisure travellers for decades to come,” said Ricky Jeffs, CEO, ERDI Group.
“Novotel Geelong has always been a place people love to stay, and this new tower will take the hotel to the next level. It will put Geelong firmly on the map as one of Australia’s best destinations for conferences, events and tourism. We’re absolutely thrilled to be part of this landmark project with our long-term partner ERDI, whose vision and investment continue to play a pivotal role in shaping Geelong’s tourism and hospitality scene. This project is a true reflection of the incredible energy and growth the city is experiencing,” said Adrian Williams, COO, Accor Pacific.
“We are proud to be partnering with ERDI Group and Accor on such a transformative project for Geelong. Beyond creating an iconic new hotel for the waterfront, this development will generate substantial employment during construction and long-term jobs for the community once open in 2027,” said Tom McKay, construction & delivery director, Ireland Brown Constructions.
