Hilton and Ipswich Hotel Group Pty Ltd have reached an agreement to deliver a new 160 room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ipswich city centre, marking a significant addition to the region’s accommodation supply.
The seven storey hotel would be constructed on vacant council owned land on Ellenborough Street, adjacent to the Nicholas Street Precinct, following a development agreement signed with Ipswich City Council.
Ipswich Hotel Group Pty Ltd is set to invest $53 million into the project, with construction expected to commence in late 2026 and completion targeted for late 2028. Around 150 construction workers would be employed during the build, with approximately 50 permanent roles anticipated once the hotel is operational.
According to Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, a recent audit identified 515 short term accommodation rooms across the city, around 310 fewer than projected to be required in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The addition of 160 rooms would more than halve that shortfall.
The accommodation and food services sector currently contributes $337 million to Ipswich’s economy, with council indicating the new hotel would provide further economic stimulus through employment and supply chain opportunities. Permanent jobs associated with the project are expected to generate $2.7 million annually in economic activity based on Economy.id data.
Paul Hutton, Area Vice President and Head of Australasia for Hilton, said the brand continues to expand across major hubs and regional centres in Australasia, with more than 1,100 Hilton Garden Inn hotels operating globally and a pipeline of over 450 worldwide. He described Ipswich as a high growth destination suited to the brand’s value driven offering.
Tushar Raniga, Director Development Australasia at Hilton, said the project would deliver efficient, high quality accommodation designed to strengthen local room supply and support both tourism and business travel.
Rupert Yang, Director of Ipswich Hotel Group Pty Ltd, said the project would be a sister property to the Hilton Garden Inn Brisbane City Centre North, reflecting an ongoing partnership with Hilton.
Council representatives also linked the announcement to broader city centre and events infrastructure upgrades, including the transformation of North Ipswich Reserve into the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct, beginning with a new $40 million western grandstand. The hotel would sit adjacent to Timothy Moloney Park, with views toward St Mary’s Catholic Church.
The signing forms part of council’s Hotel and Short Term Accommodation Action Plan, which aims to address the shortage of hotel rooms across Ipswich in the lead up to 2032 and beyond.
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