Thomas Draper
The Draper Project consisting of several concepts was submitted to the Noosa Council CEO in January 2019.
Revised several times, concepts 1 to 3 were published in Noosa Today in recent weeks.
Concept 4 hereby consists of three parts, dubbed the magnificent and private ‘Loggerhead Carapace 7 Star’ Hotel, public ‘Loggerhead Standard 5 Star’ Hotel and 1,500 seat ‘Loggerhead Convention and Entertainment Centre’.
Australian Hotel Standard is maximum 5 Star. For 7 star comparison see Galleria VIK Milan, SGS Geneva certified.
There is only one place in Noosa CBD where the SGS requirements can be met. Five 7 Star suites should be placed on top of the Loggerhead carapace.
Employing the aboriginal theme, the fit-out should include sculpture, paintings and mosaics and be the epitome of opulence.
The biggest 7 Star suite could encompass 650 square metres. To book the best suite in 2024, price $25,000 per night. The other suites are from $2,500 per night.
In 7 star, the client makes the rules and eats what he or she wants when they want. The client also gets a personal chef and an Italian butler. Totally private. What happens inside stays inside. Security 24/7.
To book in to the 7 star hotel you would have to book a suite.
The total number of hotel rooms should be about 600 with more rooms than suites in 5 star.
Hastings Street chefs are waiting ‘in the wings’ to be sent to Italy for training as 7 star chefs. (See drawing TDP-0055)
A separate wing of the building should accommodate staff, kitchens and staff parking.
The convention and entertainment centre should compare in capacity with the Joan Sutherland Centre at the Sydney Opera House with orchestra pit for 70 musicians, stage with extensive fly system and flexible staging.
Approx. 600 seats would be retractable, for events like corporate dinners or balls.
The location of the 7 hectare development requires, it would seem, a land transfer. It is an ugly blot on the landscape just within the border of the National Park.
It has been 72 years since the Noosa Hill (Prospect Hill rock quarry), closed. No renovation since a poor job in 1952.
It would be beneficial to all concerned if the plot was re-designated as Council land and an adjacent 7 hectares of Council land on the south-west side of the lookout, the southern part of Yunnaman Reserve adjacent to Peppers, was declared National Park as a swap.
Defined in drawing TDP-0045 are details of the swap and Hotel connectivity to Hastings Street.
The quarry site could then be sold by the Council to an international developer.
The outcome would give the lookout area more significance through environmentally sensitive landscaping and parking for Laguna Lookout tourist coaches.
Bronze busts on masonry plinths of Dr Arthur Harold (dec.) and Cecily Fearnley (dec.) suggested for the Lookout.
Economic sustainability of high value Hastings Street retail without wealthy discerning passing trade is for the most part impossible. This proposal should deliver.
That’s it folks. Keep an eye out for ‘The Draper Project’ Concept 5 next week.
