Riverfront high-rise on the board

Business partners Wayne Riddell and Andrew Beaumont outside the building that will be demolished to make way for the riverfront high-rise.

Sharyn O'Neill

DEVELOPER Andrew Beaumont says his latest riverfront high-rise will be the largest apartment hotel in Central Queensland.

He announced yesterday that, in partnership with businessman Wayne Riddell, he had brought forward construction of the 13 storey complex because demand in Rockhampton had gone off the scale.

He estimated Emporium's 89 room apartment hotel with 40 residential apartments above would generate $50 million in sales while its "three massive restaurants" at street level in Victoria Pde will make a huge difference to the city's lifestyle options.

It will sit opposite The Edge, which Mr Beaumont also created, but will occupy a much larger footprint on the existing Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology site.

Award-winning international architect Cottee Parker has designed a building with three function rooms, a large public lobby and a podium level with a lap pool, barbecue terrace, gym and spa.

"This design is a first for the greater CQ region and we have enormous confidence in the economic growth of Rockhampton," he said.

"It's unique in that it will have so much on-site amenity in a critical landmark site that will help to activate East Street."

He said he hoped to have detailed plans approved by Rockhampton Regional Council before Christmas and builders on site in the second half of next year.

His confidence was based, he said, on the success of The Edge which had achieved almost total occupancy.

"It was a risk but it has proved the market and we have a clearer picture now of what works.

"Rockhampton is a brilliant prospect at the moment because of the resources boom and the corporate market."

Of the 89 apartments in the hotel, 79 will be self-contained one-bedroom units.

The 40 residential apartments above will include two floors of penthouse and sub-penthouse suites offering luxurious living with towering views over the Fitzroy River.

Mr Beaumont said that although the final proposal had only just been announced there had already been interest from potential customers.

EMPORIUM

• To be completed during 2014
• Three restaurants at ground level
• 40 residential apartments
• 89 hotel apartments
• To generate $50 million in sales