Veriu Group partners with GURNER™ to open Veriu Collingwood

Veriu Collingwood — Photo by Veriu and Punthill Appartment Hotels

Yesterday saw the official opening of Veriu Collingwood, the second Victorian property from leading boutique apartment hotel operator, the Veriu Group.

Located in the ultra-cool Collingwood Arts Precinct in Melbourne's inner-city and developed in partnership with luxury property developer GURNER™ as part of its Atelier Residences project, the opening of the new property marks the latest step in the Group's ambitious strategy to roll out its successful Veriu apartment hotel accommodation nationally. It also brings the total number of hotels in the Group's rapidly expanding portfolio to 20.

Guests staying at the new state-of-the-art 95 key apartment hotel will have access to a full suite of first-class offerings and amenities, not to mention all the style, quality and innovation for which the brand has become increasingly renowned. The new property features cleverly configured and contemporary spaces, and a mix of Veriu Suites, ranging from Standard, Superior and Executive to Dual Key - all of them equipped with kitchen facilities, in-room laundry facilities, balconies (in most) and fast & high-quality internet. The magnificent rooftop pool and bar, with its incredible views across the city, is expected to be a major drawcard, while the conference and meeting facilities, secure parking, in-house restaurant, and state-of-the-art gym, will all cater to both the corporate and leisure market, with the new property expected to deliver the ease and accessibility of the office with all the comforts of home.

For corporate guests, the property's location is expected to be a key drawcard. Veriu Collingwood is situated just a few kilometres northeast of Melbourne's CBD, in close proximity to the city's commercial, retail, and corporate centres as well as Royal Melbourne Hospital, AAMI Park, Melbourne Polytechnic, University of Melbourne and Collingwood Yards which lies right next door. The suburb is also well-connected to Melbourne's transportation network, making it accessible to various business districts and industrial areas in the metropolitan region.

Equally, the property has much to offer leisure travellers. A short walk from the hotel lies vibrant Smith Street, voted the coolest street in the world by TimeOut Magazine in 2021, and home to some of the city's most popular restaurants, coffee, bars and vintage stores. Even better, Veriu Collingwood is well supported by public transport including several bus routes, the No. 86 tram which travels into Melbourne's CBD, and the nearby North Richmond Station, placing many of Melbourne's major tourist attractions including the Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building and the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Rod Laver Arena all within easy reach.

The new hotel's interiors were designed by award-winning international architectural and interior design practice, Warren and Mahoney as part of GURNER™'s Atelier Residences project, with various elements informed by the surrounding neighbourhood and Collingwood's rich artistic heritage, blending industrial and artistic aesthetics inspired by New York-style architecture. Collingwood has been the home of artists and artisans since the late 1800s and the property also forms part of the Collingwood Art Precinct housed in the former Gregory Peck Steel Products factory. Exposed brick, steel girders and recycled timber floorboards all offer a subtle nod to the location's industrial roots, while a striking mural painted by celebrated New York Street artist Keith Haring pays tribute to its artistic history. Outside, the avant-garde street level façade has been inspired by Greenwich Village and Crosby Street Hotel in Soho, New York.

Gurner Group Founder and CEO Tim Gurner, whose impressive property portfolio includes the 5-star La Pelago precinct in the Gold Coast, South Yarra's Jam Factory redevelopment, and the Saint Moritz Beachfront Residences in St Kilda, says the partnership with Veriu to operate the hotel was a natural alignment given the group's affinity for Collingwood and the local area.

Yesterday's announcement completes a busy 6 months for the Victorian-based Veriu Group, with the recent openings of its latest Punthill Apartment property - the 40-apartment Punthill Essendon North and its first Victorian Veriu hotel - Veriu Queen Victoria Market; the opening of its first Sydney Punthill property - Punthill Norwest; and the start of construction on its Punthill Sunshine property in Melbourne's west, Punthill Maitland in regional NSW and Punthill's first NSW greenfield site located in the heart of Liverpool.

More announcements about the opening of new Veriu and Punthill apartment hotels at various sites are expected from the Veriu Group in the coming months.

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