The Mercure Rockhampton has been sold to Sydney-based investment and development firm Felix Capital, marking one of the first major Australian hotel transactions to be completed in 2026.
CBRE Hotels’ Hayley Manvell, Wayne Bunz and Taylor Morris exclusively managed the sale via an on-market Expression of Interest campaign.
The Mercure Rockhampton was sold on behalf of the Sydney-based Fifty Group.
Fifty Group Managing Director Tom Wang said, “We are pleased to see the Mercure Rockhampton transition to a new owner with the capital and vision to take the asset forward. The property has been significantly upgraded in recent years and has delivered robust performance, underpinned by record accommodation demand and constrained market supply. This transaction aligns with our broader strategic direction, while hotel assets remain a core focus of the Group. We look forward to seeing its next phase evolve.”
One of the largest hotels in the region, the Mercure Rockhampton is located on a substantial 4,657 square metre freehold riverfront site on Victoria Parade, overlooking the Fitzroy River. The 74-room hotel features generously sized guest rooms ranging from approximately 24 to 47 square metres, all with private balconies.
The property also includes a 443 square metre conference and meeting centre, restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, gymnasium, on-site parking, and a detached two-bedroom manager’s residence.
A multi-million-dollar refurbishment program has been undertaken, encompassing guest rooms, bathrooms, exterior works and common areas.
Adjoining the hotel is an additional 1,447 square metre parcel of land, offering significant development potential. The site has been integrated with the existing hotel via the parking area and presents a range of future uses, including accommodation expansion or a mixed-use development.
The property will continue to operate under the Mercure brand, with Accor as franchisor and La Vie Hotels and Resorts retained as the operator.
Felix Capital’s Michael Maroun said the firm was actively pursuing further hotel investment opportunities as part of the continued diversification of its portfolio.
“This acquisition aligns with our strategy of targeting well-located assets in resilient regional markets. Rockhampton is a tightly held market with established corporate and leisure demand, and we see scope for long term value-add via a potential combination of operational initiatives and the possibility of future development opportunities,” Mr Maroun said.
Felix Capital recently announced plans for a $150 million Crowne Plaza development at Maroochydore, comprising 180 guest rooms, a 30-metre swimming pool and a 160-seat restaurant, targeted for completion by 2028.
CBRE Hotels’ Hayley Manvell said the Rockhampton campaign had attracted exceptionally strong buyer interest.
“The marketing campaign was highly competitive, generating record levels of enquiry and multiple offers. This result reflects the depth of capital and ongoing demand for high-quality regional Queensland hotel assets. Regional CBD assets of this quality and size are increasingly difficult to secure,” Ms Manvell said.
“As one of the first hotel transactions to complete in 2026, this sale sets a positive tone for the year ahead and confirms that capital remains active for the right opportunities. We have a number of investors seeking investment opportunities, but we simply do not have enough stock to cater to this demand, which is translating to extremely strong results for astute sellers,” Ms Manvell said.
