“But we had a real good look at what was happening in Sydney about four years ago, understood the investment by federal, state and local governments into infrastructure in western Sydney, and have focused on securing good pieces of land in that area.”
He said timing was key to Gibb Group’s purchase of the 2.7 hectare site at 1990 Elizabeth Drive, about one kilometre from Western Sydney Airport, for around $13 million through Link Property Services.
‘How good is this’
“We drove past it and thought ‘how good is this’, so close to the front door of the airport on a key arterial road,” Mr Thiselton said
“At the time, we didn’t know what was going to be the ultimate development, but we knew it would be focused around the role and function of the airport and supporting that.”
Mr Thiselton said the hotel would occupy around 6000sq m and that Gibb Group was considering its options for the remainder of the site, which could include short-term hard stand for major infrastructure companies active in the area.
It also has a number of other projects under way, including an industrial subdivision at Gregory Hills and it controls about 60 hectares at Kemps Creek and is seeking more strategically located land on the western outskirts of Sydney.
Construction of the hotel, designed by Hassell Architects, is scheduled to start in 2025.
Marriott International regional vice president hotel development director Richard Crawford said: “We’re super-excited about this one.
“Airport hotels are different and we think Western Sydney Airport ticks all the boxes with the benefit of no curfew and lots of freight movements.”
But he said the bigger story was the projected growth of the Aerotropolis.
“That’s the kicker for us. If you look at the numbers, the population there will exceed 1.5 million people in the next 20 years.”
Marriott has more than 500 airport hotels around the world and this will be its second in Australia following the planned 2023 opening of the Moxy Sydney Airport.
