L-R Brendan Du Kamp and Oscar Zevallos-Riveros
Image: Riverine Herald

Experienced members of the Quest Apartment Hotels franchisee and employee family have been granted ownership rights to two of the serviced apartment company’s newest locations in Victoria following a recruitment drive.

Opened in late 2020, the 77-key Quest Ballarat Station will now be under the control of Brendan Du Kamp, who has expanded his ownership portfolio to two sites in addition to the 60-key Quest Echuca, which recently underwent an AUD$1 million refurbishment.

Quest Ballarat Station is the anchor tenant of the new Goods Shed redevelopment of the city’s heritage railway station, which has recently been transformed into a vibrant hub of entertainment, dining and recreation.

The new hotel offers spacious apartments with dedicated internal kitchen facilities.

Elsewhere, Quest Wangaratta will be operated by former Quest Melbourne Airport employee, Oscar Zevallos-Riveros, who has advanced his career into franchise ownership as part of a joint venture with other existing Quest franchise owners. Zevallos-Riveros will install himself as General Manager at the new property and oversee its day-to-day running.

Following their opening late last year, both Quest Ballarat Station and Quest Wangaratta were operated in-house by Quest under its pre-franchise model before the businesses were transitioned into the hands of their new owners.

Quest General Manager of Franchise Operations, David Ridgeway, said engaging the best candidates for each Quest location was crucial to its success and its overall guest experience.

The 77-key Quest Ballarat Station opened in December 2020.

“We are pleased to be awarding franchising opportunities to two incredibly deserving members of our network, both of whom have worked their way up from property managers to become franchise owners,” Ridgeway said.

“Brendan and Oscar have a great appreciation for the Quest brand and journey we are on, as we collectively focus on creating effortless and memorable experiences for guests.”

Du Kamp said it had been a privilege to grow with the Quest brand over the past decade, further complementing his 20-years in the hospitality industry.

Quest Wangaratta comes amid as time of urban revitalisation in the Victorian regional centre.

“Following a busy year with the refurbishment of Quest Echuca, I’m excited to jump straight into the next opportunity to operate Quest Ballarat Station and play a part in bringing The Goods Shed precinct to life, which will be a sensational offering for local people and tourists alike, and something truly unique,” Du Kamp said.

Zevallos-Riveros said one of his first jobs upon his arrival to Australia was working with Quest.

“I’m extremely passionate about the accommodation industry and the Quest brand, so I’m delighted to be coming on as franchisee at Quest Wangaratta and becoming a valuable contributor to the great city Wangaratta is,” he said.