ALH has submitted revised plans for a 146-room hotel adjoining its Forest Hotel at Frenchs Forest, providing a new option in budget accommodation for the Northern Beaches.
Australian Leisure & Hospitality (ALH) has been aiming to redevelop the Frenchs Forest site for years, previously submitting a DA for a hotel that was approved in 2018.
Late 2020 the pub giant revealed its long-awaited $45 million redevelopment of the former Parkway Hotel site, ushering in the Forest Hotel.
A revised plan for a 7-storey hotel with 149 rooms, a restaurant and a bar, was proposed then withdrawn, in 2022.
In July further revised plans were submitted for a $57 million development on the vacant land behind the Forest Hotel and Dan Murphy’s.
The budget operation will provide a ‘self-check-in’ option, free Wi-Fi, a boardroom, gym and 297 car spots – but significantly, no bar or foodservice.
ALH already operates accommodation divisions Nightcap and Nightcap Plus at 88 of its 350 pubs around Australia, including at the Narrabeen Sands Hotel, around 12 kilometres away. There are another 29 unbranded sites the company is looking to renovate, reposition and bring under these brands.
The new hotel structure would be within walking distance of the new Northern Beaches Hospital and multiple corporate business parks, such as Charter Hall’s site on Rodborough Road. The funds manager supports the proposal, with MD David Harrison penning a letter to Northern Beaches Council noting interstate and overseas travellers to its sites and the “high demand for conveniently located short-term accommodation”.
ALH, part of Endeavour Group, which also operates Dan Murphy’s and BWS, says the modified project will benefit both holiday-makers and business travellers to the Beaches.
“[It] facilitates the provision of additional tourist and visitor accommodation in proximity to the Northern Beaches Hospital, the future Frenchs Forest Town Centre and the wider community, including tourist visitors.”
