Moda

A New Era. A New Icon.

We’re proud to share a first look of the proposed ‘new’ Isle of Wight on Phillip Island.

Located at 9-10 The Esplanade, we’re aiming to entirely rejuvenate the site and return it to the community as a new, much-loved focal point – to be enjoyed by Phillip Island locals, holidaymakers and future generations alike.

Inspired by the most vibrant Australian seaside resorts and iconic international beach venues, we envision the next chapter to be a diverse, mixed-use precinct which sets a new standard for hospitality and accommodation in Victoria.

Pictured below, Cowes Beach and Jetty, looking south towards proposed Isle of Wight Esplanade frontage.

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Showing Your Support

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1.0_ Local Council’s Vision

In 2019, following extensive public consultation, Bass Coast Shire Council endorsed a design and development overlay specifically for the Isle of Wight site. Amongst others, they stipulated that any development would need to be a ‘landmark development’ displaying a ‘high-level of architectural design excellence’, also a ‘preferred maximum building height of seven storeys’. And that’s exactly what we set out to achieve.

With those objectives firmly in mind, we’ve been working in consultation with the architecture and interior team (spearheaded by Alexander &CO) as well as the appointed operating partner (CLG) to ensure that an iconic and commercially successful outcome is achieved to serve all who visit, now and for many years to come.

We’re proud that the proposed outcome is one that not only satisfies all objectives,
but is on track to exceed expectations.

View the Design and Development Overlay (DDO) →

Pictured below, proposed Isle of Wight Bistro Esplanade frontage.

Key Design Objectives

A landmark redevelopment
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High-level of architectural design excellence
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Retain and respect the existing Moreton Bay Fig tree
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Visual interest and activate The Esplanade frontage
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Take advantage of the vista to the North foreshore
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Preferred maximum building height of seven storeys
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Activated pedestrian link from Bass to Thompson Avenues
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Pedestrian-focused street frontages and set backs

View the Design and Development Overlay (DDO) →

2.0_ The Proposed Isle of Wight

The proposed Isle of Wight will hold a brand new hotel, dining and retail precinct with a vision of revising a much-loved community focal point to be enjoyed by all, now and for many generations into the future. It will be a vibrant precinct designed with thought and care, curated for the location with the community and future patrons in mind. The proposed plan includes a circa 160-room hotel, ground floor food and beverage facilities including; bistro, public bar and beer garden, a signature restaurant, a large-scale event space, retail laneway, a state-of-the-art wellness centre and a rooftop pool deck that will take in the spectacular north-facing views over the foreshore and Western Port.

“The Isle of Wight Hotel was an icon of Cowes for many decades. We’re looking forward to capturing the nostalgia and spirit of the original hotel and bringing it back to life with new energy for a whole new generation” said Moda Managing Director Ed Farquharson. “Along with returning The Isle of Wight Pub, our proposed development seeks to provide an estimated $55-$76M boost to the local economy annually and 150 new employment opportunities”.

The Isle of Wight masterplan has been designed with the Bass Coast Streetscape Masterplan in mind, a council initiative looking to revitalise and enhance The Esplanade, Thompsons and Bass Avenue, and further to Chapel and Church Street by delivering an attractive social, dining and retail environment, prioritising pedestrian use, generating investment and creating jobs. The unification of the public and private domain at Isle of Wight is a direct response to this plan. By proposing a blurring of the two spaces through oversized set backs, street activation, numerous public spaces and a harmony with the existing streetscape, we hope to have a clear positive impact in Cowes’ public realm. Clear markers of the streetscape today, such as the iconic Moreton Bay Fig on the North-Easterly corner have been taken into careful consideration, ensuring what will sit around it will celebrate and enhance its sense of place. Alexander &CO in consultation with the landscape design team at TCL have proposed a vibrant beer garden, surrounding the tree, and spilling back towards the architectural structure. Across three terraces in a drift pattern it will create a series of social, meeting and dining spaces, a place to be used by all.

View the Bass Coast Streetscape Masterplan council initiative →

Pictured below, proposed Isle of Wight retail and speciality store laneway, with hotel amenity tennis court above. To the right, hotel porte cochère arrival.

Proposed Masterplan Inclusions

Cowes Jetty
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Cowes Foreshore
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Isle of Wight Public Bar
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Isle of Wight Bistro
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The Coastal Pavilion Hotel Pool and Bar
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Existing Moreton Bay Fig Tree
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Isle of Wight Beer Garden
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Hotel Bass Avenue Frontage
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The Hotel
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Retail and Specialty Store Laneway and Hotel Arrival
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Car Parking, Tennis and Basketball Courts
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Key Worker Accommodation

View the Masterplan (PDF) →

3.0_ Indicative Timeline

Late 2021

Appoint architect Alexander &CO

Global search for operator

Late 2022

Appoint operator CLG

Early 2023

Town planning application submitted
Council request for information (RFI) received

Respond to council RFI

Mid 2023

Present to councilors

Public advertising

Mid 2024

Planning approval granted

Late 2024

Commence construction

Mid 2026

Grand opening

4.0_ An Experienced Team

Operator – CLG

To ensure the calibre of the venue, nationally renowned local hospitality operator CLG has been chosen to lead the way for the food and beverage and hotel component of the precinct. CLG are leaders in Australia’s modern pub and hotel culture. Their passion for creating food-centric destinations with exceptional service is at the core of everything they do. Their collection of hotels includes Albert Park Hotel, Portsea Hotel, The Railway Club Hotel, Half Moon, O’Connell’s, The Vincent, and Lucky Coq. Their parent company, Morris Group also operates a collection of hotels and luxury lodges.

Visit CLG’s Website →

Architecture and Interior Design – Alexander &CO

Our design team leader, Alexander &CO have also been chosen for their outstanding experience with progressive spatial, community and philanthropic outcomes and their multi-award winning portfolio of hospitality and residential. This project will be the culmination of Alexander &CO’s expertise in delivering complex and large format food and beverage projects within a context of urban renewal. They provide progressive turn-key solutions for complex place making projects, positioning sustainability and timelessness at the centre of their creative mission. Projects such Burleigh Pavilion, Manly Wharf Hotel, Harbord Hotel and Watsons Bay Hotel all show the care and calibre they execute with every project.

Visit Alexander &CO’s Website →

Landscape Architect – TCL

One of the most awarded landscape architecture practices in Australia, TCL has a strong reputation nationally, that is growing internationally. They have a focus on creating poetic expressions of landscape that exude contemporary culture, are natively conscious, have progressive international substance and create a sustainable future. With abundant experience in large scale, mixed-use precincts some of their projects include; National Museum of Australia, Southbank Boulevard, QUT Education Precinct and Pedestrian Spine, RMIT Bundoora Pedestrian Spine, Monash University Queens Walk, Point Nepean National Park Master Plan and Jackalope Hotel.

Visit TCL’s Website →

Isle of Wight is a joint venture between Salta Properties, Tabet Development Group and Moda, adding to the experienced team.

Pictured below, various projects from the Isle of Wight team.

If you wish to stay informed, please fill out the form below and we’ll keep you in the loop as new information comes to hand.

Project Details
In Planning
Developed by Moda
Architecture and Interiors – Alexander &CO
Operator – CLG
Landscape Architect – TCL

9-10 The Esplanade, Cowes VIC 3922