Former Tourism Noosa CEO Steve McPharlin has joined The Star Entertainment Group to lead a new business division managing short and long-term apartment rentals at its Gold Coast site.
The new operational arm has been established to manage in-house its apartment letting pool at the soon-to-open The Star Residences, with the pool to comprise 422 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a new 53-storey tower opening in 2022 which will also play home to The Dorsett Gold Coast hotel. Last month, the tower celebrated its ‘topping out’ ceremony as it reached its maximum vertical height.
McPharlin has taken on the role of Director of Hotel and Residences, working alongside Jessica Wilkie as the company’s new Senior Strata and Asset Manager.
Reporting to The Star Gold Coast General Manager Hotels and Residences, Mark Hodge, McPharlin and Wilkie will lead a team of more than 60 positions which have now been filled to manage the division. More than 90% of the apartments in Tower 3 have been sold, with 370 more in Tower 4 also no longer available.
The primary objective of the new division will be to maximise returns and drive top-line revenue for investors who return their apartments to the rental pool.
Participating investors will be included in The Star Gold Coast’s strategic marketing programs, with their properties promoted on the company’s website, to members of its loyalty program and to the conference and business events market.
Hodge said he was pleased to be welcoming both Steve and Jessica to their new roles.
“Welcoming Stephen and Jessica, who bring a wealth of hospitality and hotel experience, we have filled the first key positions, with Stephen’s role as Director of Hotel and Residences to also encompass responsibility across our other two properties, The Star Grand and The Darling.
“We are now actively recruiting for numerous other specialised positions and will have over 60 front line hospitality roles to be filled when operational,” Hodge added.
As part of the letting pool program, apartment owners receive 24/7 security and surveillance around their properties, housekeeping, maintenance and technology, resort billing and access to the pool, fitness centre and day spa, along with a 21-day annual blackout of their apartment for personal use.
“We know these apartments will be particularly appealing to families and conference delegates, who want all the comforts of home, as well as the amenities and conveniences of an internationally renowned resort,” Hodge said.
Apartments will be available for booking under the new program by the end of 2021 with the first guests welcomed early next year.