A popular inner-city hostel is set to open its second “sister” venue, just 200m from its Newcastle Street site.
Spinners Hostel is operating on Newcastle Street, but now, plans are underway to convert an old Fitzgerald Street office into its second venue.
At a council meeting last Tuesday night, the City of Vincent council unanimously voted to approve a change of use application for 121 Fitzgerald Street to be used for short-stay accommodation.
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The hostel will have accommodation for 47 guests, allowing them to stay a maximum of three months.
It will be staffed by one full-time manager with an additional staff comprised of its own guests.
The site will require the demolition of portions of its internal and external walls and will have two on-site car parking and four bicycle parking bays.
Spinners Hostel owner Joel Medalia said the Fitzgerald Street site would “replicate” the hostel’s “proven model of success”.
“This new development will once again, be offering a level of hostel accommodation not seen anywhere else in WA,” he said.
“Its proximity to Spinners Hostel in the city, excellent access to public transportation, lodging house development approval from our building certifier, and its position next to the Pickle District region were all contributing factors in deciding that this was the optimal location for our sister venue.
“The development, we feel, will greatly enhance the streetscape, contribute to the local economy, provide employees to local businesses and will continue to foster positive relationships with our new neighbourhood.”
Cr Jonathan Hallet spoke at last Tuesday night’s council meeting and said he was “very supportive” of the project.
“I think this is a really great adaptive reuse of a building that, to me, needs some work and I think it fits in very well with a lot of changes that are happening in that district,” he said.
“I think it’s a really exciting project, and they have a great track record with the other premise.”
In January, a two-week community consultation period was undertaken, resulting in two objections citing concerns related to noise, landscaping and parking.