Industry News (Apartments & Offices in Australia)

Sidney apartments or Sydney apartments?

2009-04-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

Working on what people type when searching for an apartment in Sydney, it amazed me to find out that lots of people spell sydney incorrectly, as "sidney". Based on Google keyword tool, it seems that around 1,000 people search for "sidney apartments" in a given month.

The search results give you 'relevant' results, as it finds apartments named "sidney" around Seatlle and other places in the US. However, one can be sure that many of the people searching for "sidney apartments", were actually looking for "sydney apartments" in Australia, not in the US.

If you are looking for apartments in sidney - oops, sydney, you might go and check these apartments for rent in sydney.

New Development Projects Will Improve Eastern Hub of Perth

2009-03-16T17:19:00.002-07:00

According to property analysts, the eastern hub of the Central Business District of Perth will become a location that is just as attractive as the western end of town. Until now property analysts have said that the eastern hub has been buoyed by projects such as the new Condor tower and the Equus serviced apartments that are housed in the former Cinema City site.

The development would be targeted toward the area located at the end of Terrace east of William Street and also east of Barrack Street to make the eastern section of town into a hub. Property analysts feel that the new precinct holds a lot of potential of potential for growth due to the fact that a substantial number of serviced offices would be a significant portion of the project. This would mean a lot of people would be coming to the city to work and will choose to live there as well.

The project would include Equus, a $280 million project at the east of the Hay Street mall that would house serviced offices, serviced apartments, and retail facilities in the 26-floor complex that consists of three buildings that are connected together and have their own elevators and lobby. Construction on this complex has started and is expected to be complete by April of 2011.
Eighty percent of the serviced apartments have been sold and seventy percent of the commercial and serviced office space has also been sold. Marketing of the ground floor retail facility which will include cafes and boutiques will begin about 15 months prior to project completion. The ground floor retail facility will stretch from Hay to Murray Street.

The development will have resort style facilities that include a pool and gym and the commercial serviced office suites will total 8000 square metres of space. The Condor Tower will be completed early this year and will provide 24 floors of serviced apartments offering 152 units, two retail outlets, six commercial offices and 48 car bays.

Condor Court will be a six-floor building that will offer 30 serviced apartment units, four shops, and 12 commercial suites, and will include a gymnasium and a pool. The property is being developed by Condor Development Ltd.

Royale which is located near Hay Street will be a large residential project offering 193 serviced apartments and four commercial office suites. The building is nine stories high and includes two pools, sauna, spa, and gym which are built on the former RAC site.

There are several additional complexes on the site that will be constructed for serviced office space, serviced apartments, and additional commercial and retail space. The building includes the Treasury Building, Town Hall, Durack, Central Law Courts, Cathedral Square, and the Saint.

Quays Serviced Apartment Hotel Chooses EasyRMS to Provide Revenue and Yield Management Solutions

2009-03-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

The Assured Ascot Quays Serviced Apartment Hotel recently selected EasyRMS to provide their Internet Product Suite, Deal Quotation, and Budget Analysis Modules at their serviced apartment property located on the Swan River in Perth.

Ascot Quays Serviced Apartment Hotel chose Easy RMS to help them implement the serviced apartment industry best practice pricing and distribution policies. The decision is a result of the currently uncertain economic climate and will help the serviced apartment provider to strategically plan all aspect of business including offering the highest quality services to its guests.

EasyRMS will act as a revenue management partner in managing the pricing and distribution policies and practices of the Quays serviced apartment property. EasyRMS will also be a key resource for helping Assured Ascot Quays Serviced Apartment Hotel to increase their profitability as well as meeting and exceeding their business objectives.

The Assured Ascot Quays Serviced Apartment Hotel is a subsidiary of the Australian owned Assured Hotels and Apartments Group and is located right on the banks of the Swan River with views of the river, city and parkland. The property offers 68 4.5 star fully-equipped and furnished serviced apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms with full furnishing and complete kitchen. Guests also have access to reception, complimentary parking, restaurant and bar including alfresco area, room service, 25m swimming pool, gymnasium, business services, broadband wireless Internet access and a tour desk. You can find out more information about accommodations by visiting Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au.

EasyRMS was founded in 1999, has become the global leader and provider of ASP Revenue & Yield Management Solutions within the hospitality sector for hotel properties and serviced apartments. The company has offices in London, Paris, New York, Calgary, Sydney, Singapore, Rome, Athens and Dubai.

With more than 20 years of combined industry knowledge EasyRMS is dedicated to the introduction of new generation technology and procedures within the hospitality sector and delivers these services to help hoteliers and serviced apartment providers maximize their business.

Pioneer Sands Serviced Apartments to Be Completed by End of 2009

2009-03-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

According to developers at the Wollongong-based Complete Development Consultancy, the Pioneer Sands serviced apartment project will be completed by November of 2009. The development is a $45 million dollar project in Towradgi with the management rights being sold before completion of the project.

The Pioneer Sands serviced apartments will offer 46 residential units and 42 serviced apartments with commercial establishments planned for the ground floor. The new serviced apartment property is located on the site of the old Leisure Coast Motel on Carters Lane behind the Towradgi Beach Hotel.

The management rights to the serviced apartment property are being sold before the completion of the project to allow an incoming operator to get a head start on establishing the business and building it accordingly. The management rights to the serviced apartments are currently being offered by Jim Chapman of Resort Brokers Australia for $1.3 million. The details of the management right package will include leasing agreements to the 42-unit fully furnished four-star serviced apartments on a 25-year term.

The Pioneer Sands serviced apartments are situated in Towradgi which is a coastal area flanked by bushland and white sandy beaches. Tenants have easy access to boutique shops, transportation, university, and sporting fields. The serviced apartment property is only five minutes from the center of Wollongong and within a one hour drive to Sydney airport.

The Pioneer Sands serviced apartments are also within five minutes of the Wollongong Serviced Apartments which are located in the center of the Wollongong Central Business District. The Wollongong Serviced Apartments offer 21 one and two-bedroom 4.5 star serviced apartments fully equipped with kitchen and laundry facilities as well as underground security parking. They are designed for business travelers or leisurely short term stays.

The Wollongong Serviced Apartments are also within close proximity to the beaches, a golf course, the primary entertainment venue, restaurants, and cafes, and it is within one hour from the Sydney airport. Nearby are also a cinema and theatre, coach station, galleries, museums, hospital, post office, public transport, railway station, shopping centre, shops, swimming pool, taxi rank, tennis court, university, and visitor information centre.

Wollongong Serviced Apartments received the Illawarra Tourism Award for best accommodation facility in the Illawarra and the Intergral Energy Business Award for Excellence in Tourism.
You can find more information on serviced apartment accommodations in Australia by logging onto Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au.

Quest to Open Its 126th Serviced Apartment Property in Central Queensland

2009-01-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

Quest Serviced Apartments plans to open its 126th serviced apartment property next month in Gladstone, Central Queensland.

The new serviced apartment property at 39-43 Bramston Street, Gladstone, will offer 82 units that range from studio, one, two, and three bedrooms with self catering facilities and the latest in technology and comforts. The serviced apartments are equipped with high speed Broadband Internet access, iPod docks, flat screen LCD televisions, and Austar connection. The property offers complimentary car parking onsite, a swimming pool, and barbeque area.

Additionally there will be a host of breakfast options, a pantry shopping service, chargeback at a selection of local restaurants, and business administration services. For business clients seeking to hold a conference or seminar, the conferencing facilities are capable of catering up to 50 clients.

The new serviced apartment complex is located within close proximity to the Gladstone airport, within 600 meters of the Central Business District of Gladstone, and 1.9 kilometers from the Marina. It is expected that the population in Gladstone will double by the year 2026 with the city situated at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Additionally, the rapid growth of surrounding regions in north-east Australia can account for the sound management at all levels by government and industry. Quest has been keeping up with the growth in these areas where there is a constant demand for high-quality and contemporary serviced apartment accommodation options.

Quest Gladstone serviced apartments are also located in an ideal position for travelers seeking access to the Gladstone Hospital, Entertainment and Aquatic Centers, Central Queensland University, and the multi-purpose sports complex. Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au will have additional information on accommodations at Quest properties.

Quest chooses serviced apartment property locations in the Central Business Districts, metropolitan and regional precincts, due to their close proximity to business centers, restaurants and shopping, as well as additional conveniences, to enable guests to be able to conduct their business and enjoy lifestyle options without having to travel long distances.

The opening of Quest Gladstone next month will follow recent openings in the Sydney Central Business District and Potts Point, Albury, Ipswich and Chermside, Ivanhoe and Glen Waverley. Since 1988, Quest has created a network of 120 strategically-located serviced apartment complexes.

Business Opt for Virtual Offices to Escape High Cost Leases

2009-01-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

As a result of the economic downturn, many small businesses are opting for the virtual office concept to escape the high costs and commitment to long term leases as well as the costs of commuting. Businesses are turning the lease of a virtual office instead to maintain the appearance of a prestigious address in an inner-city setting.

According to Regus, a major serviced office and virtual office provider, the company is currently experiencing an increase in the demand for virtual offices. The company has up to two new business clients per week in over 850 centers in 60 countries worldwide, as a result of the uncertain economic climate.

By opting to lease a virtual office, small business owners do not have to provide a lump sum of capital for office furniture and interior fittings. With a virtual office, Regus can provide small businesses with a post office box that reflects a Shortland Street address in the Central Business District of Auckland, a personalized answering service with access to meeting rooms when needed, a full administrative support staff, as well as computer and videoconferencing equipment. Businesses can access all of these services at a fraction of the cost of renting office space via a conventional long term lease. Additionally, virtual offices help to cut down on the cost of commuting and reduction of carbon emissions.

The Regus Groups specializes in serviced offices and virtual offices and offers a wide range of business solutions that allow companies and individuals to work whenever and wherever necessary. The company operates over 850 business centers across 400 cities in 60 countries and provides fully furnished serviced offices or virtual offices with world-class business support services, meeting conference and training facilities, and the largest network of videoconferencing rooms that serve over 200,000 clients on a daily basis.

The Regus Group also provides solutions that support the growing trend of mobile and home working by supporting workers at home and on the road with services such as the Virtual Office and Virtual PA. Companies of all sizes use Regus solutions to reduce costs and remove the burden of property ownership and management and to have a workplace to suit however they want to work.

For more information on virtual office and serviced office accommodations in New Zealand and Australia, log onto Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Quest Expands Serviced Apartment Portfolio with New Locations

2008-12-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

Quest, a major Australian-based serviced apartment provider, has announced the opening of two new serviced apartment properties in New Plymouth and Carlaw Park Auckland. The addition of the properties to Quest’s portfolio will make a total of 27 Quest serviced apartment properties in New Zealand from Invercargill to Auckland.

Quest New Plymouth will provide leisure and business travelers with a flexible lifestyle and a value exceeding that of traditional hotel accommodations. The new serviced apartment property is situated within a central location in the inner part of the city and provides access to seaside views, shopping, and a wide variety of restaurants.

The city of Plymouth serves many sectors which include oil exploration, business services, and tourism during the summer months.

Quest Carlaw Park is located in the heart of Auckland in the central business district part of the city. The new serviced apartment property will provide state-of-the-art accommodations for the local business park corporate clientele, a nearby tennis complex and domain, and easy access to the motorways complex.

Quest New Plymouth and Quest Carlaw Park are part of the company’s mission to expand to provincial locations and to meet the increasing demand in New Zealand for serviced apartments. Quest Carlaw Park will add to the company’s portfolio of ten serviced apartment locations in Auckland and provide cost effective alternatives for corporate and leisure travelers seeking a more flexible lifestyle not offer with conventional hotel accommodations.

Quest was established twenty years ago and became the largest operator in the serviced apartment industry in Australia and renowned for offering an innovative accommodation solution for corporate travelers. The company’s portfolio expands across Australia and New Zealand with serviced apartment properties known for state-of-the-art facilities, comfort, and convenience.

Quest currently has over 120 serviced apartment properties in prime locations across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji with additional properties planned for 2009.

For additional information on accommodations in Australia, log onto Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Quest Announces Opening of Serviced Apartments in Albury

2008-12-21T10:59:00.000-08:00

Quest serviced apartment providers recently announced the opening of a new serviced apartment property in Albury on the site of “twin cities.” The new property is a $17 million five floor serviced apartment facility located in the major urban center of the Albury-Wodonga region that will serve a regional population of around 100,000 people.

Quest Albury serviced apartments will fit into the vision of the Quest Group by providing the renowned state-of-the-art Quest brand accommodations to both business and leisure travelers. The property immediately follows the award for Quest Wagga Wagga that the Quest Group received in August of this year which is the highest accolade in Quest’s extensive portfolio of awards.

Quest Albury serviced apartments offer 104 spacious units for the price of a hotel room with a choice of studio, one, two, or three-bedroom serviced apartments. All units are exquisitely furnished and offer a fully equipped kitchen, a separate living room, private laundry, and bathroom. The studio apartment units offer a kitchenette with counter top stoves, microwave, and central guest laundry facilities.

Quest Albury has a conference and meeting room that can cater up to 80 people for conferences, board meetings, training sessions, product displays and office parties. Full catering and tea-room facilities are available.
Quest Albury serviced apartments are located in the heart of Albury on the Victorian border along the Murray River. The new facility is within easy access from the surrounding areas and provides a central location accommodation for business and leisure travelers seeking to stay in a serviced apartment. Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au has information on accommodations and availability for Quest Albury.

According to Paul Constantinou, founder and chairman of Quest Serviced Apartments stated that Quest Albury will offer corporate travelers a stylish and centrally located property that takes advantage of Albury’s location.

Albury is Australia’s busiest inland transport corridor and a strategic hub for commerce, retail, transport, health, and education. The addition of Quest Albury to the company’s portfolio is in line with Quest’s mission to create serviced apartment properties where the business demand dictates.

Quest Launches Serviced Apartments in New Plymouth

2008-12-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Quest, a major serviced apartment provider in Australia, recently launched new serviced apartments in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The new 40-unit serviced apartment complex is located in New Plymouth’s landmark Post Office Building on Currie Street. Renovations in the building began in February of this year and some of the small jobs are in the process of being completed.

Quest New Plymouth serviced apartments are being managed by new franchise owner, Tony Boswell and his wife Michelle. They have entered the accommodation business after selling two successful bowling alleys in Wellington and twenty of the units have already been booked.

It is expected that corporate clients will account for 70 percent of the bookings in the Quest New Plymouth serviced apartment complex. Tony Boswell predicts that the rest of the units will not be hard to fill due to the fact that the new serviced apartment complex is one of very few in the area and the economy in New Plymouth appears to be recession proof.

Quest currently operates more than 120 serviced apartment complexes throughout Australia and Fiji with 27 facilities located in New Zealand. Quest has been operating serviced apartment properties in Australia for over twenty years and has become Australia’s largest and most successful operator in the serviced apartment industry.

The company currently has plans underway to open seven new properties in 2009. The new serviced apartment properties include Quest Singleton in New South Wales, Quest Gladstone and Quest Mackay in Queensland, Quest Mawson Lakes in Southern Australia, Quest Shepparton in Victoria and Quest Carlaw Park and Quest Napier in New Zealand. The new Quest serviced apartment properties will be offering introductory rates and special opening deals.

Quest New Plymouth serviced apartments are currently receiving tenants and the purchase by franchise owner Tony Boswell came as a result of looking into opportunities in Wellington. Due to the previous award winning properties established under the Quest brand, the Quest New Plymouth property will practically run itself.

To learn more about Quest serviced apartment accommodations and availability, log onto Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Corporate Travelers Fuel the Serviced Apartment Sector in Australia

2008-12-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

Despite the reports of an economic downturn, the serviced apartment sector in Australia expects the competitive pricing offered to corporate travelers to fuel the growth of the industry. The serviced apartment industry is currently worth $2.2 billion in Australia which is an increase from $1.5 billion in 2005.

According to Allan Vidor, managing director of Toga Group, the additional space that is offered with serviced apartments coupled with five-star amenities for less than hotel price, make serviced apartments the preferred option for short and long term housing. The growth is driven by corporate traveler preferences for the more flexibile lifestyle that is possible with serviced apartment living.

Toga owns the Medina serviced apartment group as well as the Vibe and Travelodge hotels.

The serviced apartment industry in Australia has increased at an average of 6.3 percent annually with hotel revenue growth trailing at an increase of only 4.7 percent. For the year 2009 the revenue growth for serviced apartments is expected to be at 3.9 percent with the hotels trailing at a three percent increase.

New serviced apartment properties are being established throughout Australia due to the fact that developers find them easier to finance and construct than hotel properties. Additionally, serviced apartments are usually established in prime locations and the developers can contract for serviced apartment management which creates attractive packages for investors.

IBIS World Business Information predicts the serviced apartment industry will face a difficult year, however, the industry is recession resilient and will remain strong during the next five years. Corporate client prefer these accommodations over a single hotel room with expensive amenities.

Stella Group is currently the largest serviced apartment operator in Australia with 15,000 units under management and 143 serviced apartment properties throughout Australia with 13 properties in New Zealand. The company recently purchased Outrigger and Seville chains and open a 330 unit serviced apartment building in Darwin.

Additional information on serviced apartment accommodations in Australia can be obtained from Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Servcorp Reduces Operational Costs with Cisco IP Communications Solution

2008-11-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Servcorp, an Australian serviced office solution company, is currently providing reduced costs and higher levels of customer service after implementing an Internet Protocol (IP) Communications solution from Cisco Systems in their virtual offices.

Servcorp has been initiating solutions to reduce costs in their serviced office facilities since 2001 through the implementation of Cisco IP converged networks for voice, video, and data. The company recently expanded the network by adding over 1200 Cisco IP Phone 7960 Series handsets in ten locations that include Beijing, Tokyo, Paris, Singapore, and Sydney.

As a result of deploying the new Cisco network solution, Servcorp has been able to initiate a centrally managed billing system for its serviced office clients regardless of the geographic location of its serviced office facilities. Deploying this type of infrastructure significantly reduces operational costs that otherwise are typically higher, due to the fact that the system is unachievable with traditional Private Branch Exchange based communications.

The implementation of the converged network has also helped Servcorp to further develop their virtual offices for business travelers by providing more flexible working facilities that accommodate individual needs of business clients. The company offers virtual offices in primary locations worldwide. Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au has detailed information on Servcorp serviced office and virtual office space.

As a result of working with Cisco, Servcorp was able to integrate its IP network with its own front-end software application called WorkSmart, a multi-tenant interface that is capable of creating customized virtual office solutions. The integration of the application significantly increased customer retention rates while creating a reduction in operational, equipment, and maintenance costs.

The integration of new IP Communications has enabled Servcorp to change the face of the serviced office and virtual office environment. The Servcorp IP Communciations network is based on the implementation of Cisco networking hardware and software, including Cisco Catalyst® 6500 and Catalyst 3500 series switches, Cisco 2600 and 3600 series routers, Cisco Cisco CallManager, Cisco UnityTM voice mail, Cisco IP Contact Centre (IPCC) and Cisco IP Phone 7960 and IP Phone 7970 series.

Servcorp has developed a global reputation for excellence in Australia as well as worldwide. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, this year celebrates 20 years of commitment to technology innovation, industry leadership, and corporate social responsibility.

Prime Investment Property in Melbourne for Sale

2008-11-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

The prominent Prince Hotel freehold investment property in St Kilda has been recently offered for sale in what will be this year’s most popular accommodation asset. The hotel and serviced apartment property is currently owned by Melbourne’s renowned van Haandel family who has decided to sell in order to separate joint businesses.

The decision to offer the Prince Hotel for sale results is the desire of John and Frank van Haandel to separate their joint businesses so the families can pursue their own interests. They have appointed Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels to market the award winning investment property on a ‘sale and leaseback’ basis.

The Prince Hotel is Melbourne’s most famous serviced apartment and hotel combination. Last year the property won the “Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel” award at the World Travel Awards in June 2008.

The Prince Hotel is located on the corner of Acland and Fitzroy Street in the popular suburb of St Kilda and features an award-winning restaurant Circa the Prince, the Prince Public Bar, the Aurora Spa Retreat, The Prince Deck, Il Fornaio café, Mink, the Prince Bandroom, and a multi-level car park for approximately 270 vehicles.

The property recently received Development Approval (DA) to construct an additional 24 luxury residential apartments and twelve serviced apartments on the site which will make the property even more attractive to investors. Because of the prime trading position and sustainability of diverse income streams, the property proves to be a secure freehold investment and will be highly sought after by strategic investors, high net worth individuals, investment funds, as well as investors with an eye for future development.

In addition to providing multiple income streams for investors, the location of the property which is near to St Kilda beach and the heart of Melbourne’s entertainment, fashion, and hospitality precinct, offers substantial opportunities for investment.

For additional information on serviced apartment property accommodations and investment opportunities in Australia, log onto Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Ascott Residence Trust Acquires Another Serviced Apartment Property in Perth

2008-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ascott Residence Trust (ART) recently acquired an additional serviced apartment property located along the prime St. Georges Terrace in the central business district of Perth. The property is currently known as Chifley on the Terrace and will be renamed Somerset St Georges Terrace, Perth. The new serviced apartment property will be managed by Ascott International Management.

According to Ascott Residence Trust, the acquisition of the serviced apartment property is yield-accretive with an estimated annual property yield of 6.1 percent for 2008 and will be funded by borrowings which will bring its gearing to 34.5 percent.

Somerset St. Georges Terrace will offer 84 studios and one-bedroom serviced apartments and provide facilities such as daily housekeeping services, a bar and restaurant, meeting rooms, and convenient car parking. The property is already experiencing an average occupancy level of approximately ninety percent. Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au has more information on rates and availability.

The Somerset St. Georges Terrace location makes the serviced apartment property attractive to corporate travelers due to the limited supply of high quality serviced apartment accommodations in Perth. According to a HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte, Perth was named the best performing Australian city in 2007. Average room rates grew at fifteen percent during the first none months of that year to reach A$159 and occupancy averaged about 84 percent.

At the completion of the Somerset St. Georges Terrace serviced apartment property, the portfolio of Ascott Residence Trust will average 1.37 billion and includes 3,550 serviced apartment units in 37 properties in 11 cities across seven countries. Ascott’s assets in Australia will make up four percent of the company’s total portfolio value which is a one percent increase before the property acquisition. Ascott Residence Trust’s other serviced apartment property in Australia is Somerset Gordon Heights located in the central business district of Melbourne.

Ascott Residence Trust (ART) is the first pan-Asian serviced apartment residence real estate investment trust (REIT) established with the objective of investing primarily in real estate and real estate-related assets which are income-producing and which are used as serviced apartment residences or rental housing properties in the pan-Asian region.

For additional information on serviced apartment accommodations and availability in Australia, contact Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com.au .

Regus Group Offers Serviced Offices, Hot Desking, and Virtual Offices in Australia

2008-10-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Regus Group, a leading serviced office provider in the UK is expanding its protfolio by offering serviced offices, conferencing facilities, hot desking and virtual offices in Australia.

Regus refers to its serviced offices as “ready to use” offices that are fully furnished and ready to use immediately. The company is offering ready to use ofices on a pay as you go basis as an alternative to the risk and cost of building infrastructure. Serviced offices are ready within a day and offer convenience to small businesses as well as business people who are traveling and only need office space for a day or two.

The Regus Group is also offering virtual offices which allow a business to establish a presence in a prime city location without actually having a physical presence and at a subtantially lower cost. In a virtual office setting, mail can be delivered to the city location address and then forwarded, telephone messages can be responded to in a company name and then the caller forwarded to the business owner.

The Regus Group features a hot desking business world membership program which provides businesses with access to professional day offices, business lounges and cafes in 950 serviced office centers in 400 cities across 70 countries. Clients can drop in between meetings to check email or to meet a client in an environment that is more professional than a hotel lobby.

There are 19 serviced office, virtual office, and hot desking centers in Australia that are operated by the Regus Group and one in New Zealand. The demand for serviced offices in Australia continues to remain strong due to the fact that it is driven by companies that are seeking alternatives to conventional long term leases during a period of economic uncertainty. The Regus Group has experienced significant growth in the demand for serviced offices and virtual offices during the last two years. The company plans to continue with expansion in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

The Regus Group’s Australian and New Zealand serviced office network now totals 20 centers, which includes four additional centers established over the last six months. Growth during this period included its first serviced office and virtual office center in Adelaide, a second in Brisbane, a fifth in Melbourne and an eighth center in Sydney. Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com has additional information on space availability in these facilities.

The Regus Group was started in the UK in 1989. The group posted a 39 percent increase in pre-tax profits for the six months ending 30 June 2008, supported by significant growth in the Asia Pacific region.

For detailed information on serviced office space in Australia, contact Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com .

Quest Opens Serviced Apartments in Sydney

2008-10-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

Quest Serviced Apartments will open a prime Central Business District four and a half star property in the heart of Sydney next week. The Quest World Square in Haymarket will offer 72 serviced apartments in eight floors of the Aspect residential tower which is located on Cunningham Street.

Quest launches the new project as an economic boost to an area which is currently undergoing transformation. The serviced apartment property is located right in the center of the World Square retail market and the property will also help to establish a lifestyle precinct at the southern end of the Central Business District in Sydney.

Quest World Square serviced apartments will provide fully-equipped and contemporary styled units that range from two-bedroom with twin key to one bedroom and studios. Amenities will include breakfast packs and select restaurant charge-backs, as well as business administration services, pantry shopping, valet dry cleaning, access to a swimming pool and gymnasium.

Quest World Square Serviced Apartments is also located within close proximity to a wide range of amenities that include Chinatown, the Entertainment Centre, Market City, Darling Harbour, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hyde Park, the Central Railway Station, as well as access to a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment. The Central Business District contains major department stores, fashion boutiques, the Queen Victoria Building shopping complex, and Surry Hills that provides cafes, bars, and restaurants. Public transport links are available to virtually every other Sydney location from nearby George Street.

Quest has taken advantage of the demand for serviced apartments in Sydney by fulfilling the needs of the corporate traveler. Reservations for Quest World Square are already looking promising and can be obtained from Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com .

Quest chooses new serviced apartment locations on the basis of existing and emerging corporate demand for housing. Quest World Square will fulfill the needs of domestic as well as international clients in Australia’s busiest capital city.

Quest is Australia’s largest and most successful serviced apartment operator with more than 120 serviced apartment complexes located across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Quest World Square is 120th in the company portfolio.

For more information, contact Move and Stay at www.moveandstay.com .

Ascott Wins Three Awards for Serviced Apartment Properties in Melbourne

2008-10-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

The Ascott Group recently won three awards from the Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association (HMAA) of Victoria Awards for Excellence for its Somerset serviced apartment residences.

The Ascott Group’s Somerset serviced apartment properties and staff members were recognized with the following awards: New Tourism Development Accommodation Award for Somerset Gordon Heights Serviced Apartments, Outstanding Contribution by an Industry Newcomer Award for Ms. Virginia Le, Guest Service Officer for Somerset Gordon Place/Somerset Gordon Heights, and Outstanding Contribution to Back of House Award for Mr. Tak Lo, Maintenance Supervisor for Somerset Gordon Place/Somerset Gordon Heights.

The Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association (HMAA) is currently in its ninth year of offering the Awards for Excellence which recognizes the contributions by businesses as well as individuals to the accommodation industry. During this event, more than 200 prominent figures from the Australian tourism and hospitality industry were also present.

The serviced apartment properties provided by the Ascott Group have continually performed well in providing award winning services and high-end products with unit occupancy of over 80 percent at the Australia properties. Revenue for serviced apartment units has increased by 7 percent per year as of July 2008. Somerset Gordon Heights has been recognized as an accommodation of excellence in its first year of operation.

Somerset Gordon Heights offers 43 serviced apartment units, ranging from studio, one and two bedroom units to two-bedroom penthouses. Each unit is designed with ample space for comfortable dining, entertaining and living. Somerset Gordon Heights is located within close proximity to the Parliament train station. It is also within walking distance to many shopping, entertainment and cultural attractions like the Bourke Street Mall, Princess Theatre and Her Majesty's Theatre, State Houses of Parliament, Melbourne Museum and Melbourne Fine Art Gallery.

Somerset Gordon Place offers 64 warm and stylish home-style serviced apartment residences. It provides modern facilities and services while retaining the building's historic charm. The building is listed by the National Trust as one of the cultural and historical heritage buildings to be preserved. Somerset Gordon Place offers studio, one and two-bedroom layouts. Located within Melbourne's Central Business District, Somerset Gordon Place is a short walk to Bourke Street, Chinatown and Melbourne Central malls.

Ascott currently has seven serviced apartment properties in Australia, in Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The company’s largest property in Australia, Citadines Melbourne on Bourke, is due to open in 2010.

Move and Stay has further information on space availability and Melbourne accommodations at http://www.moveandstay.com/ .

Demand for Virtual Office Space Increases in Australia

2008-10-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Recently businesses have been jostling for serviced office and virtual office space in the Central Business District of many primary cities throughout Australia. As a result, the demand for serviced offices and virtual offices has significantly increased and has begun to overflow into the suburbs of some of the major cities in Australia.

Traditionally, serviced offices and virtual offices have been seen as a luxury item; however, due to the overflowing demand for Central Business District office spaces, the demand is outweighing availability. The concept has recently exploded to the point that the world’s biggest and second biggest providers of serviced offices and virtual offices have annual turnovers of £507.5 million ($1.12 billion) and $200 million respectively.

Serviced offices and virtual offices in Perth have full occupancy since the demand for space began last year. The office space is being occupied by fledgling companies as well as larger companies employing staff at a location for the duration of the project.

Regus Group which is the largest provider of serviced office and virtual office space globally had revenue last year of £507.5 million. The company currently has 950 centers in 400 cities and 70 countries with 19 centers located in Australia. Clients include Google, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Nokia and Accenture. Regus Group began its Australian serviced office and virtual office facilities in Perth with facilities in St. Georges Terrace at the Forrest Center, Council House, and the Legal and General Building at 267 St. Georges Terrace.

ASX-listed Servcorp which is the second largest provider of serviced office and virtual office space began with one office in the MLC Center in Sydney and currently has an annual turnover of $200 million. The company has expanded to 23 cities and has offices in 14 countries that include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, France, Belgium, China and the Middle East. It also has one floor of serviced office and virtual offices in the AMP Tower in Perth, and one in Central Park.

The Executive Center Expands Serviced Offices to Sydney

2008-09-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Executive Center, a leading serviced office provider in the Asia Pacific has recently expanded their serviced office network to Sydney with a second business center in Australia Square.

The Executive Center recently invested more than $2.5 million in the new 16,000 square foot business center in Australia Square on George Street which will offer serviced offices, meeting rooms, videoconferencing and hotdesks, with direct access to a professional management team.

Since the inception of the first Executive Center serviced office facility at ABN Amro Tower at Aurora Place, the company has experienced healthy margins since the year 2000. Since Sydney is one of the top commerce centers in the world, it has tremendous ability to attract many international companies interested in setting up a business in Sydney’s central business district.

The Executive Center location in Australia Square’s financial district is within close proximity to Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and The Rocks area with magnificent bay and city views from the serviced office property.

The primary goal of the Executive Center is to provide executives with a top notch corporate image and workplace environment. Each serviced office space includes workstations equipped with POLYCOM VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony system, secure internet access, Herman Miller chair and ultra-ergonomic office furniture. The company also believes in a no-branding policy so clients will feel like they are working in their own office space.

Companies from overseas looking to establish operations in Sydney will benefit the most from the Executive Center serviced offices due to the fact that they can start up immediately without substantial capital investment and long term lease commitment. Additionally, there is no need to hire and train administration staff and the serviced offices include access to fully equipped meeting and videoconferencing rooms. Move and Stay has information on availability of serviced office space at http://www.moveandstay.com/ .

In addition to international companies, entrepreneurs already based in Sydney can lease serviced offices as Executive Center Virtual Office clients to develop and enhance their corporate identity. The virtual office plans include a corporate address, dedicated phone and fax number, personalized call answering services, meeting room access, as well as other services.

The Executive Centre is Asia’s leading premium serviced office operator providing fully furnished offices, virtual office services, meeting facilities, and a broad range of business support services. Client industry profiles include private and equity funds, banking and insurance, IT and ITES, luxury and consumer goods, oil and gas, business services, trade commissions and others.

Since its establishment in 1994, The Executive Centre has grown their serviced office network in Asia - Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macau, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Jakarta, Sydney and Sofia. The Executive Centre was awarded the Network World Asia All Star Award 2006 and Hong Kong Business Magazine's High Flyers Award 2006 & 2007.

For information on Executive Center quality serviced offices, log onto http://www.moveandstay.com/ .

Emporium Offers a New Way of Working in Australia

2008-08-28T10:26:00.001-07:00

A network of new workplaces called “Emporium” can now to be found in towns and cities across the country of Australia with the main purpose of supporting members in finding, contracting, and executing work assignments that vary in size from one-person tasks to major responsibilities outsourced by large corporations. The members of Emporium are part of multinational project teams.

Emporium offers serviced office accommodations that include light industrial space and areas for meetings and other social contact associated with the workplace. Members use Emporium serviced offices to meet as teams, utilize temporary work spaces, staff administrating, and consultancy that includes retired workers. The key to the success of the Emporium serviced office concept has been experienced people that possess valuable knowledge as well as contacts, becoming involved and acting as mentors.

Initially, large employers backed the Emporium serviced office idea financially, out of concern to reduce costs by outsourcing work. The leading members of Emporium demonstrated a thorough understanding of how to manage a subcontracting relationship as well as an attitude of getting the tasks done which employers of businesses required. As a result, Emporium is now seen as a strong business partner.

Gradually the surrounding towns have begun to see the Emporium serviced office concept due to the fact that the project attracts money to pay people by allowing people to work without having to travel. It formed a new skill base and developed new business relationships which led people to relocate to the area. The communication between towns and companies is beginning to become strategic.

The technological infrastructure of the Emporium serviced office concept has been developed in a new way to provide quick and reliable access to information and support that is required by a wide range of people in different professions. As a result, Emporium is rapidly emerging as a new institution of work in Australian society. Reduction in commuting time as well as working self-sufficiently has become the accepted norm. Additionally, by having access to experts, coaches, and consultants, as well as mentors, work productivity has significantly increased.

The Emporium new serviced office concept nurtures the belief that work environment impacts the discovery of the worker’s potential and the belief that people do their best work when they are fully committed to the task they are working to accomplish. This represents a very different state of mind from just carrying out work responsibilities workers are trained to do and in a mundane fashion.

Ascott Opens Serviced Apartments in Melbourne Business District

2008-08-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Ascott Group recently announced the official opening of Somerset Gordon Heights serviced apartments located in the Central Business District of Melbourne. The new property offers 43 serviced apartment units that range from studio, one and two-bedroom units, to two bedroom penthouses.

Somerset Gordon Heights is located is located within walking distance to restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, cultural attractions such as the Bourke Street Mall, Princess Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, State Houses of Parliament, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Fine Art Gallery, as well as the Parliament train station.

Somerset Gordon Heights serviced apartments offer residents convenience, space, and the comfort of home with personalized service. Each unit includes full furnishings, fully-equipped kitchen, ensuite bathroom, broadband Internet access, and a home entertainment system. The serviced apartment property also offers a wide array of services that include daily housekeeping, self-service laundry, dry cleaning, 24-hour security, daily buffet breakfast, babysitting, grocery shopping, meal delivery, as well as airport transfer.

Serviced apartment residents at Somerset Gordon Heights enjoy full access to the recreational facilities at Somerset Gordon Place which include a fully-equipped gymnasium, an outdoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna.

Ascott currently has six serviced apartment residences in operation in Australia for business and leisure travelers and their families. In addition to Somerset Gordon Heights, Ascott has a new Citadines serviced apartment property due to open in Melbourne in 2010, and other properties such as Somerset Gordon Place and Somerset on Elizabeth in Melbourne. Travelers can also choose from two serviced apartment residences in Hobart and Sydney. Somerset on the Pier and Somerset on Salamanca in Hobart and Somerset Darling Harbour in Sydney.

All of Ascott’s serviced apartment properties are in prime locations and offer various recreational facilities and business support services.

The Ascott Group is the world's largest international serviced apartment residence owner-operator with about 15,000 operating serviced apartment residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as over 6,000 units which are under development, making a total of close to 21,000 units.

The Group operates three brands: Ascott, Somerset and Citadines. Its portfolio spans 55 cities in 23 countries, 13 of which are new cities in Ascott's portfolio where its serviced apartment residences are being developed.

Westin Expands Serviced Apartments to Queensland

2008-08-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has announced an agreement with Metacap Empire Square Property, Ltd. to open a new Westin Hotel and Serviced Apartments in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia. The Westin Brisbane Empire Square Hotel and Serviced Apartment residences will open its doors in 2012.

The Westin Brisbane Square will offer 306 rooms and will share a 66 story tower with The Residences serviced apartments which will be the first internationally branded residential development in Australia. The opening of the hotel and serviced apartments in 2012 marks the return of the Westin brand to Brisbane.

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will be located within close proximity to Central Station, the Convention and Exhibition Center, and Brisbane casino. The hotel and serviced apartment residences will make up a portion of a mixed-use development that includes commercial serviced office space and 8000 square feet of meeting space. The serviced apartment residences will also have easy access to popular attractions that include the Botanic Gardens, King George Square and Queen Street Mall which is the entertainment hub of Brisbane.

The Residences at The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will include 98 luxury serviced apartments and six penthouses. Residents will be able to enjoy access to hotel services and facilities as well as a spectacular view of the South Bank, the city and the ocean. Additional facilities will include a fitness facility, indoor pool, and access to the hotel’s three restaurants and bars.

Westin is currently present in Auckland and Fiji and will open a hotel in Queenstown by the close of 2009. The Queensland project will join the Westin brand in Sydney and Melbourne and is one of the first developments in Australia that combines serviced offices, hotel, and serviced apartments.

Fraser’s Hospitality Opens Two More Serviced Apartment Properties in Sydney and Perth

2008-08-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Frasers Hospitality has announced that it will add two more serviced apartment properties to its portfolio in Australia. Fraser Place will be located in Sydney and Fraser Suites located in the Western Australia capital of Perth. Both of the projects are Greenfield projects and are owned by Frasers Property, the Australian property investment arm of Frasers Centerpoint Ltd, of which Frasers Hospitality is a wholly owned subsidiary.

Fraser Place Sydney will have serviced apartment units ranging from studios, one, and two-bedrooms and duplex penthouses. Each serviced apartment unit comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, customized living spaces, broadband Internet access, workstations, and state-of-the-art flat screen TV and home entertainment systems.

The serviced apartments are part of a mixed-use development known as Lumiere at Regent Place which also contains a 56-storey residential tower and a shopping mall. It is conveniently located in the historic Town Hall precinct and offers panoramic views of Darling Harbour which is a popular waterfront dining and entertainment quarter in Sydney. The second Sydney property is a 5.8 hectare plot just a 5-minute walk from the Central Railway Station. The development will have 235,000 square meters of floor space which will include approximately 60 percent for residential serviced apartments and 40 percent commercial and retail space.

The project in Perth which is called Queens Riverside will be constructed in two stages and will feature 288 luxury serviced apartments as well as Fraser Suites Perth. The project will also include a food street retail and commercial office space.

Frasers Hospitality has received very positive reception for their serviced apartment properties in Australia. As a result of the steady economic growth in the last decade, the company plans to expand rapidly with additional serviced apartment properties throughout Australia.

Frasers Hospitality produces three brands of serviced apartment properties: Fraser Suites, Fraser Place, and Fraser Residence that all contain the primary mission of providing the ultimate accommodations in executive housing residences.

Serviced Apartment Suites Awarded for Five Star Luxury

2008-07-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sydney’s Fraser Suites recently received two big awards at the 2008 Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association Industry Awards for excellence. The luxury serviced apartment residence was recognized as the premier “Apartment 5-Star Luxury” and the “New Accommodation Development” for the year.

In addition to a luxurious standard of accommodation, the awards by the Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association Industry, recognize outstanding quality and attention to detail as well as services provided to discerning guests. Concept, design, and construction are also factors taken into consideration for the awards.

The luxury serviced apartment all-suite hotel is the first to open in Sydney’s Central Business District since the Olympics. The 42 level tower opened last year in Sydney and has become an inspiring city landmark. Designed by Foster and Partners, the property boasts Italian vein-cut travertine floors, silver leafed ceiling, suede paneling, and champagne metallic lined walls.

The property contains 201 luxurious studio, one and two bedroom suites and two spectacular duplex penthouse serviced apartments. A 200 square meter gymnasium is included with state of the art cardiovascular and resistance machines and a 20 meter heated pool overlooking the Regent Place shopping precinct

Fraser Suites Sydney luxury serviced apartment tower is conveniently located near the entertainment hub of George Street and the Pitt Street Mall which is center to the best of Sydney’s shopping. It is also within immediate reach of major corporate headquarters and twenty minutes from the Kingsford Smith Airport. Major attractions such as the Maritime Museum and Sydney Aquarium are situated nearby and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre are within easy walking convenience.

Sydney Fraser Suites has received continuous support from both the leisure and corporate markets since its launch last year due to consumer preference for serviced apartments. The 42 level tower is an all suites hotel that combines the benefits and functionality of an apartment with high quality hotel services.

Fraser’s mission is to become the premier global leader in the extended stay, serviced apartment market through their commitment to continuous innovation in answering the unique needs of every client.

New Serviced Office Provider in Adelaide Supports Small Businesses

2008-07-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

Business Technology Partners, a small business services provider established by Microsoft specialists, will open the doors to its new serviced office facility in Adelaide on July 14. The new services start-up will focus on providing server and workstation support for small businesses.

Business Technology Partners will provide clients with serviced office workstation solutions that will mainly focus on organizations with three to twenty–five computers. Primarily serviced office driven and a partnering business as well, the primary focus is to eventually provide systems for up to 400 users but the majority will be below 25 users.

Business Technology Partners was established by Michael Jenkin, Microsoft small business server Most Valued Professional, and Sam Webster, a Microsoft small business specialist.

According to Jenkins and Webster, the customers are not really being serviced the way they want to be serviced and everywhere they have worked it has not quite felt right. The establishment of Business Technology Partners is a result of small businesses that have a national and international focus and are trying to start up in Adelaide. There are not enough people to service them so Business Technology Partners plans to assist with serviced office workstations with business support services.

The company also plans to provide support services to non-profits by providing them with cost effective Microsoft software and other cheap software through Cisco which will get the cost under the budget of small businesses to discover where the problems exist.

Business Technology Partners plans to expand the organization next year by adding a second Adelaide serviced office facility and also expanding into a Melbourne presence.

Prior to establishing Business Technology Partners serviced office workstation solutions, Jenkin worked for various retail, corporate and education firms. He was most recently the IT manager and team leader at Copyworld and runs his own community Web site which focuses on secondhand PCs into preschools and primary schools. Webster previous worked for NAB and Copyworld as a senior engineer

Quest Serviced Apartments to open in Ipswich

2008-07-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

A brand new $11 million dollar serviced apartment complex will soon open its doors in Ipswich by July 28, 2008. The complex is being established by Quest who is Australia’s largest operator of serviced apartments. The Quest serviced apartment facility will be located next to the Ipswich City Center near the Showgrounds and Ellenborough Rail Station.

Quest Ipswich serviced apartments will have 64 apartments that will include a variety of studio and one to three bedroom units. Apartment amenities will include Internet access, LCD flat screen televisions, DVD player, stereos, reverse-cycle air conditioning, separate living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen, and laundry facilities. Guests will also have access to a heated pool, barbecue area, breakfast options, valet dry cleaning, pantry shopping, on-site parking and baby sitting services.

The new serviced apartment complex in Ipswich will also provide a conferencing facility that is capable of catering up to 60 delegates.

Quest chairman Paul Constantinou said the location of Quest in Ipswich was consistent with the group's philosophy of creating Quest properties where business demand dictated. The focus is on delivering value as well as a consistent product to the business sector. New serviced apartment locations are selected only on the basis of existing or strongly emerging corporate demand. The property locations are chosen for their close proximity to business centers, restaurants, nightlife and shopping. Feedback from regular corporate clients also dictates locations where Quest serviced apartments are needed.

According to Paul Constantinou, Quest feels that it is important that guests are close to where they need to be to conduct their business and near a location where they can also have lifestyle options.

Quest is steadily opening new serviced apartment locations in Australia and New Zealand. The Ispswich complex is part of Quest’s northern expansion to provide accommodations for the corporate sector.