Sorrento’s Continental Hotel to be restored
The historic Continental Hotel in Sorrento will be put through a complete refurbishment.
The owner of the iconic 1875 landmark Julian Gerner has entered into joint venture partnership with property developer Steller which will refurbish and renovate the venue and then lease it back to Mr Gerner who will run it as a going concern.
Work will start early next year and it’s scheduled to be completed early in 2019.
Mr Gerner acquired the Continental from its long time owners, the Di Pietro family in 2016 for a reported $13 million.
But it’s been lying idle ever since, raising concerns among locals, including the Portsea-Sorrento Chamber of Commerce.
The National Trust-listed hotel, the gateway to the Main Street, has quite a history.
It was built by comedian, actor, entrepreneur and politician George Coppin, the man known as the “Father of Sorrento”.
It is said to be the largest limestone building in the Southern Hemisphere.
The redevelopment has taken some time because Mr Gerner has been out securing contentious planning approvals for extensive redevelopments.
That includes him getting the nod to buy a rear car park for $1.98 million. That will generate more revenue for the old pub, something he says is the “missing link” that will give the Continental a viable future.
The $22 million redevelopment will give the hotel a public bar and bistro, restaurant, dining room, champagne bar in addition to 38 hotel rooms, two function rooms, gymnasium, day spa, 25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna, deck, steam room, car park and 16 apartments
Steller managing director Nicholas Smedley said the building works would “complement and enhance the existing heritage and provide a landmark tourist destination for the Mornington Peninsula”.
“Sorrento has grown significantly over the past decade and continues to evolve with year-round population and tourism,” Mr Steller told The Mornington Peninsula News.
“Steller has had a close eye on the historic hotel since Julian announced plans for restoration.”
Mt Gerner was enthusiastic, saying the limestone building was “deserving of restoration and preservation”.
“I am very proud to be the new custodian of the Continental hotel and to breathe life back into a Sorrento landmark,” Mr Gerner told The Mornington Peninsula News.
12th December 2017
