- Cyclone damaged Hook Island lodge acquired by Glenn Piper
- The selling price is understood to be over $10 million
- Plans announced for a "barefoot" hotel with Development Approval secured
Hook Island lodge in the Whitsundays has changed hands as Glenn Piper of Meridian Australia acquires the 9.3 hectares from Melbourne developer David Marriner. The selling price is understood to be over $10 million.
The southeast corner of the uninhabited Hook Island will become the site of a 50 room paradisaical “barefoot” hotel.
Mr Piper founder and CEO of Meridian Australia is fast becoming an Australian hospitality mogul with his Hook Island lodge acquisition the third hospitality purchase in less than a year.
In November 2021 the 35-year-old purchased the leasehold of Sydney’s iconic Q Station at North Head in Manly for at least $15 million.
With an additional $40 million investment, he added the Beach Hotel at Merewether to his profile in early May.
“The Whitsundays is one of the most naturally stunning and diverse tourism destinations in the world and we are thrilled to secure a landmark position in the heart of it on Hook Island,” Mr Piper said.
Hook Island offers 58 square kilometres of unhindered landscapes in the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Piper’s 9.3ha site has two private beaches, more than 1km of water frontage and impressive views.
The Hook Island property was once occupied by a resort which largely destroyed by cyclones in 2011 and 2017, damage which Mr Piper has he will restore.
The previous owner had already secured the Development Approval for a hotel and tourism operation. Mr Piper has said he plans to execute the existing development plans for a “sustainable and low impact barefoot luxury eco-lodge”.
“Very few locations in the world can offer this level of natural wonder. I want to create an experience that befits the beauty of the island and the Whitsundays – respectfully and sustainably,” he said.
“I’m energised at the thought of creating a world class hospitality experience for this slice of paradise.”
Glenn Piper, Meridian Australia
Hook Island Lodge was marketed through an Expressions of Interest campaign, managed by CBRE Hotels Director Tom Gibson.
“The fact that Hook Island Lodge went under offer in the very first week of a public Expressions of Interest process, highlights the confidence experienced operators have in our tourism market,” said Mr Gibson.
He said the property attracted over 150 enquiries from a range well-known investors.
