THE massive job of redeveloping a Cairns, Australia Esplanade hotel could start within two months following a significant approval by council.
Chinese property tycoon Benny Wu’s ambitious plans to extend Acacia Court Hotel were approved by Cairns Regional Council yesterday in what was described by Division 7 Councillor Max O’Halloran as “the opportunity of a lifetime”.
The development, which could be worth up to $80 million, will involve increasing the total number of rooms from 136 to 407 and the building height from 10 storeys (34m) to 13 storeys (43m).
Acacia Court Hotel redevelopment project co-ordinator Leo Chui said “Our company has full confidence in the future of Cairns and that’s why we embarked on this ambitious project.”