POSTCARD VISION FOR CITY
PROPERTY magnate Chris Morris says he could spend $ 150 million developing a “postcard” resort alongside The Ville casino in Townsville.
His Colonial Leisure Group has released stunning images and flyover video of concept plans developed by specialist resort planners Pure Projects and Gary Hunt Architects.
The images include a new seafront hotel, marina for super yachts, luxury villas and a network of waterways and swimming lagoons in the style of global lagoon developer Crystal Lagoons. The project is separate to plans endorsed by Townsville City Council to develop a lagoon on the seabed off The Strand and has the potential to finally put Townsville on the tourist map.
Mr Morris said while the plans were only a concept at this stage he wanted to develop a “postcard” project for Townsville on a site adjoining the casino he bought last year for around $ 10 million.
“I did not buy the land to let it sit there and do nothing. I’m just making sure we do the right thing,” Mr Morris said.
“If we do something like that ( resort) it would be the postcard for Townsville. It’s got to make a statement.”
Mr Morris said the Breakwater Island precinct was the best site of any casino in Australia. He said local people would realise this when The Ville’s new Quarterdeck restaurant was opened shortly.
“If you look at what we will provide with the Quarterdeck and Miss Songs, people will realise the value of that view across to Magnetic Island,” Mr Morris said. “It’s still the best site of any casino in Australia.”
Mr Morris said Townsville definitely needed another hotel because The Ville was always full and would become even more popular when the current $ 40 million redevelopment was complete.
He said he would be disappointed if they were not progressing the adjoining development in the next year but was keen for feedback.
He also wanted the Townsville City Council to proceed with its plans.
“I’d be disappointed if we weren’t doing something constructive in a year,” Mr Morris said. “There’s a bit of work to do before we turn any soil.”
He said Pure Projects and Gary Hunt Architects were the “best people” involved in resort planning and had experience in the kinds of development being envisaged by his group.
Pure Projects was involved in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands integrated resort including a 2500- room hotel, convention centre, shopping mall, museum, restaurants, floating Crystal Pavilions, skating rink, and casino. Crystal Lagoons was founded in the United States but has become a global company developing manmade water features around the world with the latest a 98 acre ( 39ha) lagoon being developed in Dubai.
I’D BE DISAPPOINTED IF WE WEREN’T DOING SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE IN A YEAR. CHRIS MORRIS