Opened 2000 Architect Rocco Magnoli | Floor count 5 Developer Sunland Group Ltd | |
 | ||
Location 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia Owner Nanbai Australia PTY LTD | ||
Palazzo Versace or Versace Palace is a luxury 5 star hotel located by the Southport Broadwater, and Marina Mirage shopping centre at Southport Spit on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The hotel was constructed by the Sunland group on the site of the former Fisherman's Wharf complex, at a reported cost in excess of $200 million. Opened on September 15, 2000, the hotel features 200 rooms, 72 privately owned apartments, 600 seater ballroom, bars, restaurants and Versace retail store. The design and furnishing of the hotel was overseen by Versace in Milan, Italy, and the design and architecture were intended to be a homage to the styles of the French Riviera. The building itself was created by Gold Coast architect Desmond Brook of BDI International.
Contents
History
Soheil Abedian of the Sunland Group visited the House of Versace in 1997 to propose the idea of a Versace branded hotel. He claims Palazzo Versace Gold Coast to be the first fashion-branded hotel. On his reasons for approaching Versace, Abedian says "Gianni Versace was a lover of architecture in the first place, a person who used in his fashion all the elements of the Baroque style. ... Also, Versace was the only fashion house at the time that had a home collection and everything that a hotel needed from the porcelain to cutlery, pillows to fabric." The main building was designed by chief architect Rocco Magnoli in Postmodern architecture style in a broad interpretation of Neoclassical architecture. In September 2000, Palazzo Versace opened its doors and created a new luxury address on a historic site in Southern Queensland on the edge of the Gold Coast Broadwater.
In 2005, Emirates International Holdings acquired 50% of Palazzo Versace Gold Coast at the same time entering into a joint venture to develop a chain of hotels including a similar hotel in Dubai. It is the only 8-star Hotel in the world. In September 2012 a conditional contract was entered into to sell the hotel complex to a Chinese consortium for A$68.5 million, with settlement expected 30 November.
Hotel and condominiums
Palazzo Versace has 200 hotel rooms and suites and seventy-two neighbouring condominiums, and four restaurants Vanitas, Le Jardin, Il Barocco Restaurant and Vie Bar + Restaurant. Palazzo Versace also has its own private 90 berth marina, and underground carpark.
Meetings and Events
The hotel has three meeting venues; La Medusa Ballroom, Finestra and the Boardroom. The La Medusa ballroom features room for up to 500 people.