A rough illustration of 8Hotels new boutique property in Sydney.
A rough illustration of 8Hotels new boutique property in Sydney.

A new nine-storey boutique hotel to be developed and operated by Paul Fischmann’s 8Hotels brand will be developed in Sydney following the group’s purchase of a block of six residential units in the inner-eastern suburb of Kensington.

The hotel, tentatively expected to open in 2022, will sit alongside Sydney’s evolving light-rail corridor close to the University of New South Wales station, offering direct transport to the CBD and Circular Quay. Plans for the property will see it offer 70-80 rooms, a restaurant, bar and co-working space to suit the needs of the nearby student population as well as NIDA and Randwick Racecourse. It marks the second new project for 8Hotels in Sydney alongside ‘Clancy’ – a luxury 40-room boutique lodge near Central Station, due to open in 2020.

In partnership with Jonathan Hasson, the new 500sqm acquisition will be redeveloped into a 2,000sqm hotel and fits within the new Kensington Town Centre community as part of Randwick City Council’s master plan for the area. Individual unit sales were negotiated off-market with owners by Fischmann and Hasson for a combined $7.5 million, which negated the need for a strata renewal.

WMK Architects has been signed to design the project, with Alessi Design and Build also involved for building construction work.

Speaking exclusively to HM, Fischmann said he had wanted a hotel in this destination for a decade.

“I’m excited to be a part of this once in a lifetime rejuvenation of Anzac Parade and I look forward to working with council to create a world-class hotel on this site.”