Category: Development
Centurion Global – Hive Project on track for 20 storey, five star international brand hotel
Townsville is in the box seat for another five-star hotel to be built in the CBD. Find out where it will go.
An artist’s impression of The Hive development. Image: Townsville eplanning/The Hive Townsville, Landscape Masterplan Report
Another five-star hotel could soon join Ardo in gracing Townsville CBD’s skyline after the developer of the Strand’s The Hive project revealed he had a verbal agreement with a top tier hotel brand.
In early April, former-Gold Coast and now-Townsville based developer Centurion Global Developments reached an agreement with the Gleeson Group to purchase the 1.7ha site – encompassing almost the entire city block bounded by Flinders St, King St, The Strand and Wickham St.
Following 10 years of planning, Townsville City Council approved the first stage of the Hive development in 2021, with the estimated $450m project offering retail, entertainment, cultural, education and community space, civic areas, mixed use and open spaces, incorporating the heritage-listed Queens Hotel.
Centurion Global founding director Mark Tonge said on Friday that he’d been in talks since June with a “top level international brand hotel” to build a 200-room five-star hotel at the site, in one of the two 20-storey towers with development approval.
“We’ve reached a verbal agreement with them on terms and so forth, and are progressing to the next stage with that. It’ll be really exciting,” Mr Tonge said.
Centurion Global founding director Mark Tonge. Picture: Supplied.
The Hive development site bounded by The Strand, Flinders, King and Wickham St in Townsville.
“We’re not disclosing the brand or the pictures at this point in time, but it’ll be forthcoming shortly … probably four to six weeks.”
Mr Tonge confirmed that The Hive was also on the shortlist of proposed locations for the future $98m Townsville Concert Hall project, for which the business case was still being finalised.
A concept image of a concert hall at The Hive. Picture: Griffin Group
“That dictates some of the end uses and the area allocated for that, so we will wait and see what that report says and see whether there is a potential for it to be integrated into the development,” he said.
“My understanding is that we’ll probably hear next week sometime in relation to that.”
Mr Tonge anticipated that construction of the King St South commercial precinct, a four-level building proposed for 45 Flinders St, opposite Reef HQ, and the refurbishment of the Queens Hotel would be among the first works to get under way.
An artist’s impression of The Hive redevelopment of the Queens Hotel area on Townsville’s Strand.
“(With the) Queen’s Hotel, the intention with that will be for it to be utilised as some of the hospitality offerings,” he said.
“We’re in discussions at the moment with multiple different national and local hospitality venues to go into there.”
Despite not going to market with an active campaign to acquire tenants, Mr Tonge said there was tremendous interest, where he’d been directly approached by over 20 hospitality and commercial operators who had heard about the project.
“Realistically, it’s a not-to-be repeated site in Townsville, as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
With Townsville’s future looking bright and Centurion Global’s other local projects powering ahead, “either on schedule or ahead of schedule”, Mr Tonge said they were looking to acquire further projects.
Giovanni Spinella and Mark Tonge show off the view from Centurion Global’s Magnetic View Estate at Pallarenda. Picture: Shae Beplate.
Regional Development Minister Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said the Australian Government continued to work with the Queensland Government, Townsville City Council and other key stakeholders to honour all commitments to the Townsville region, including delivering a business case for a concert hall in Townsville.
“A project steering committee, comprising representatives of the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Townsville City Council, is working with AECOM to produce a business case that is fit for purpose and meets the needs of stakeholders – and this will be finalised soon,” Ms McBain said.
“To date, AECOM has undertaken consultation with a wide variety of cultural sector, community and business stakeholders to inform this business case.”
CategoriesDevelopment Townsville Uncategorized
Gold Coast firm Centurion Global Developments to develop strategic The Hive in Townsville
A new developer has stepped up to take on one of the most transformative projects in Townsville’s history. Find out more.
Tony RaggattFollow@anthonyraggatt
2 min read
April 7, 2023 – 6:53AM Townsville Bulletin
An artist impression of plans for the Queens Hotel area on the Strand.
Townsville
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One of Townsville’s most exciting and transformative development sites is changing hands.
Parties to the deal say an agreement has been reached for the sale of The Hive project to Gold Coast developer Centurion Global Developments.
The 1.7ha site, comprising almost an entire city block including the former Queens Hotel on the Strand, has been owned by the Gleeson family since the mid-1990s who for the past 10 years have been planning the concept of The Hive project.
Described as one of the most transformative projects in Townsville’s history, approval for the project was obtained in 2021 when Townsville City Council approved an application for the first stage of the Hive development.
At the time of approval, the proposed development comprised of retail, entertainment, cultural, education and community space, civic areas, mixed use and open spaces, all while retaining and incorporating the grand Queens Hotel structure into the design.
An artist impression of redevelopment plans of the Queens Hotel area on Townsville’s Strand.
Other approvals included two residential towers. A shared pedestrian and vehicular laneway providing access from The Strand through to Flinders Street was also planned.
Conrad Gargett was engaged to design a state-of-the-art commercial building located at 45 Flinders Street and 10 The Strand in Townsville as part of the proposed master planned precinct, The Hive.
High construction costs stalled development of the first stage, commercial offices to provide head offices for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, last year.
An artist impression of redevelopment plans of the Queens Hotel area on Townsville’s Strand.
Founding Partner of Centurion Global Mark Tonge said they saw an opportunity to reposition the development with a slight variation on its focus while retaining the core use approvals.
An artist impression of redevelopment plans of the Queens Hotel area on Townsville’s Strand.
“We are thrilled to be acquiring the Hive development site in Townsville from Gleeson Group,” Mr Tonge said.
An artist’s impression of The Hive development. Photo Townsville eplanning / The Hive Townsville, Landscape Masterplan Report
“This acquisition is an important step in our expansion into the Townsville market, and we look forward to bringing a development of this level to the vibrant Townsville community.
The Hive development site bounded by The Strand, Flinders, King and Wickham St in Townsville.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with the Townsville community to ensure that the Hive development site becomes a vibrant and dynamic hub that meets the needs of the local community.”
Therese Smith and Mark Tonge and Mark Tonge hold a contract on the sale of the Gleeson Group’s Hive property holdings bounded by The Strand, Flinders, King and Wickham St.
Gleeson Group Managing Director Therese Smith said they were happy to hand over the project Centurion Global to bring The Hive plans to life.
An early photograph of the Queens Hotel.
“Our father and grandfather, Jack Gleeson, was a visionary leader. He saw this unique site as a legacy for our city, a special place for all Townsvillians and visitors to enjoy.
An artist impression of the redevelopment of the Queens Hotel area on Townsville’s Strand.
“The Queens Hotel was his pride and joy and we look forward to seeing the plans for residential and hotel developments become realised for this unique site,” Ms Smith said.
It is intended the Queens Hotel be retained and incorporated into the proposed development. The Criterion Hotel has Development Approval for it to be replaced with a modern residential accommodation tower that will overlook Anzac Park and the marina with views to Magnetic Island and the Palm Islands group.
Colliers Associate Director Angelo Castorina, who brokered the deal, said Centurion Global had a proven track record of projects and a reputation for delivering high-quality developments that met the needs of the communities in which they were located.
The acquisition will allow Centurion Global to expand its footprint in the Townsville area, having already completed a gated estate at Pallarenda called Magnetic Views, and having other developments under way, including Castle Hill Estate, Limestone Estate Condon, an apartment project in Ross River Rd and an apartment building at 9 The Strand, which neighbours the Hive project.
A sale price was not disclosed.
CategoriesDevelopment Land Magnetic Views Residential Townsville
$2m-plus home builds planned for unique Cape Pallarenda estate
Some of Townsville’s best architecturally designed homes with an average build cost of more than $2m each are expected for a unique estate being developed at Cape Pallarenda.
While one of a kind is a term often used loosely — especially in real estate, but the newly rebranded Ray White Townsville — previously Explore Property Townsville — says there is nothing else quite like Magnetic Views Estate.
Certainly, Ray White Townsville director Giovanni Spinelli says a gated community in that location, with phenomenal views out to Magnetic Island, is unlikely ever to be repeated.
The first buyers of lots are not revealing their design plans yet but Mr Spinelli said he expected the average build cost for homes would be over $2m.
The beautiful Pallarenda beach in front of the exclusive Magnetic Views Estate.
He said they would be limited to two storeys above ground level although depending on the particular lot and its position they could possibly be tiered for more levels.
The roadway through the Magnetic Views Estate at Cape Pallarenda.
A total of 13 lots have been developed over a more than 3ha site which was most recently used as a radio frequency monitoring station by the federal government’s communications authority before the land was controversially sold off in 2005.
The Entrance to the Magnetic Views Estate at Cape Pallarenda.
It lies amid a state government conservation park and was once also part of the former Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station developed by the federal government in 1913.
Gold Coast developer Centurion Global is nearing completion of the estate, having formed a roadway and paths and connected home sites to services including water, sewerage and NBN connections.
Stone walls have been formed at the estate’s entrance. The gates are expected to be installed and road and walkway lights switched on shortly.
Eight lots, mostly around 2000sq m in size, have sold for prices averaging $930,000.
Mr Spinelli said they were getting exceptional interest for the remaining sites, particularly from local people.
“The higher end market is still buoyant — anything north of $750,000. They are the ones transacting quite well. We are still seeing market demand for that product,” Mr Spinelli said.
The picturesque and private gated estate is on elevated coastal land at 1 The Esplanade, Cape Pallarenda, only a short distance from the CBD, the airport and shopping centres.
Director of Centurion Global Mark Tonge said they were proud to bring the development to completion and looked forward to securing buyers for the remaining lots.
The first titles are expected to be released shortly with first home building likely to begin mid-year if not sooner.
SOURCE: Homes at Magnetic Views Estate to have wow factor | The Courier Mail
CategoriesDevelopment Land Magnetic Views Residential Townsville
Magnetic Views Estate achieves record sales totalling $7.45m
December 16, 2022 – 12:00AM Townsville Bulletin
An exclusive $13m land release overlooking Cape Pallarenda and Cleveland Bay has set price records for vacant residential lots in Townsville.
Magnetic Views Estate is a gated community developed on the hillside adjoining the Cape
Pallarenda Conservation Park with fabulous views out to the islands and south to Townsville
and Castle Hill.
Only five lots remain for sale after buyers snapped up eight lots in a record-breaking run of
sales totalling $7.45m.
Residential lots within the development, which is being undertaken by Centurion Global, are
priced from $850,000 to $1.1m.
So far sales have averaged $930,000 per lot.
“Buyers have been quick to appreciate the exclusiveness of the location and the rare land
offering, with all sales achieved so far achieving records for Townsville,” said Mark Tonge,
the founding Director of Centurion Global.
Mark Tonge, Centurion Global Developments and Giovanni Spinella, Director and Sales Agent for Explore Property, with the view from Magnetic View Estate, at Pallarenda. Picture: Shae Beplate.
“All of the buyers have been local which is a key indicator of the combined value they see in
the location, the lot sizes and the exclusivity that Magnetic Views Estate offers.
“We have yet to undertake an official marketing campaign, so the sales result has been
exceptional. Land like this has become increasingly scarce, especially sites within easy
reach of a range of urban amenities in the heart of Townsville.”
Explore Property director and sales agent Giovanni Spinella said it was a unique development and probably the last of its kind in that area.
Mr Spinella said he was very proud of the fact that the buyers so far were local people
“If you think about the lifestyle it offers in the middle of a conservation park and so close to a CBD centre, it’s a very unique spot,” Mr Spinella said.
He said the estate’s roads and walkways had been developed and its 13 lots connected to services including water, sewerage and NBN connections.
The landmark residential project is the first undertaken in Townsville by Centurion Global
which has an extensive portfolio of developments in South East Queensland.
Townsville has become a key focus for Centurion Global with Magnetic Views part of a
$71.8m portfolio either under way or in the pipeline for the city.
This includes the 54-lot Limestone Estate in Condon, which has moved to stage two and three construction, and Castle Hill Estate, another premium 33-lot gated land release.
Centurion Global recently secured a site with development approval for 53 apartments near Ross River with construction set to start in 2023.
Originally published as Magnetic Views Estate achieves record sales totalling $7.45m