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Kings Perth Hotel
23 March 2009
Perth lawyer John Hammond narrowly missed being hit by two fist-sized falling chunks of concrete, as he walked down the Kings Hotel Carpark stairs on the river side. Hammond stated that he’d “heard the carpark had concrete cancer and that its future was in some doubt”. It was quickly assumed that parts of the concrete had separated as a result of being dried out or perhaps from a pipe leak. No imminent danger or further cracks could be found, which would be inspected regardless by an engineer and patched up if required. In the meantime, the carpark would not close as there was no cause for concern (The West Australian, p2).
17 February 2010
The hotel is listed for sale by Knight Frank for approximately $60 million. Mirjam Norvilas is selling up to retire from the property world.
Other hotels and properties owned by the prominent family (or ones they had previously been involved in), includes the Inn Town on Pier Street (now the Pensione Hotel Perth), Oceanic Hotel in Mosman Park and the Highway Hotel in Claremont (also known as the Coronado Hotel).
The hotel now has 117 rooms and suites, two penthouses, numerous function rooms including a ballroom that can host 450 people, two bars, a restaurant with alfresco dining and a rooftop pool. The carpark, which is still part of the package, includes 374 licensed car bays which is leased out to Wilson Parking to serve the public, as well as hotel guests. The office block with almost 5,000sqm is now leased out to a variety of tenants, including lawyers and settlement agents (The West Australian).
21 November 2010
The retirement of Mirjam Else Novilas is short-lived, passing away at the age of 86.
04 - December 2021
14 December 2010
Cascadale Holdings Pty Ltd, a group associated with Indonesian investors, purchases the Kings Hotel for $39 million. The attraction for the buyers was the "diversified investment portfolio with one purchase," as well as a good "scope to change the various uses of the complex and maximise the benefits of the current demand for hotel and car park space". The hotel also includes several function rooms including a ballroom, two bars and a restaurant. Indonesian investor and buyer, Jacky Mulani, who is based in Applecross, also owns the Araluen Golf Resort in Roleystone (The West Australian, p.36).
October 2012
Kurt Russel Steel, who was sentenced for life in 1995 for the murder of Chris Novilas, the General Manager of the Kings Hotel, is denied parole. Serving his time in Bunbury Regional Prison, he had the support of a community corrections officer and three psychologists. Due to being sentenced prior to November 1996 under the Offenders Community Corrections Act 1963, he is one of almost 60 prisoners who are not eligible for a program that could help increase their chances to be released on parole. Prisoners sentenced after November 1996 are subject to a later legislation.
16 October 2012
The WA Ballet is in the process of selling more than 2000 ballet costumes dating back 30 years ago. It comes as the sale of the hotel resulted in new management wanting to clear out everything, particularly as all of WA Ballet’s costumes had been stored at the Kings Hotel for more than 10 years. The costumes comprise of approximately 25% of the WA Ballet’s stocks. Prices start from $5 to $500 with more than half of the costumes selling in the first two days of the sale at their WA Ballet Centre on Whatley Crescent, Maylands.
22 July 2014
A development application for the Kings Hotel has been approved which will see extensions made with an extra 52 rooms.
14 July 2015
Rydges announces a signed management agreement to operate the Kings Hotel Perth, rebranding it to Rydges Perth after an extensive refurbishment. Together with the hotel's owner, Nobel Group, they release a media statement detailing the significant refurbishment of the property that is currently taking place and would continue for the next few months. This would see the number of hotel rooms increasing to 174 with three levels of commercial office space converted into 57 new rooms and the existing rooms all undergoing a full refurbishment, including new bathrooms.
All public spaces, particularly the restaurant, bar and conference facilities will also undergo refurbishment, with an expected completion date in mid-2016. It will bolster the hotel rating up a star to four-stars. The estimated cost for the renovations is $7.5 million with Christou Design Group Pty Ltd being contracted as the developer.
05 - December 2021
