Chris Morris Townsville Casino
Chris Morris, the entrepreneur who founded tech company Computershare and who owns the casino, Orpheus Island Resort and other North Queensland assets, reported the sale of a million of his 32,000,000 Computershare shares yesterday. Tycoon Chris Morris already owns Orpheus Island off Townsville, Daintree Ecolodge, Townsville Casino and helicopter company Nautilus Aviation. The resort, 30 minutes from Cairns by helicopter.
- MILLIONAIRE and tourism tycoon Chris Morris hopes the $30 million revamp of the Jupiters hotel and casino will open people’s eyes to magnificence of the city and its setting.
- TOWNSVILLES casino will be sold to a hotel and brewing group linked to entrepreneur Chris Morris, the gaming venues owner Echo Entertainment revealed today. Read full article: 7 Echo sells Townsville to concentrate o.→.
The owner of Townsville’s ‘The Ville-Resort-Casino’, Chris Morris, has reportedly purchased the landmark development site opposite from his own resort in what will likely be a $10 million deal.
It is believed that the 2.9ha site, will be used to develop more accommodation for the resort, to provide land to stage big outdoor events and for car parking. It’s situated perfectly at the end of the peninsula on which the casino is built.
Mr Morris purchased The Ville Resort-Casino for $70 million in 2014 and confirmed he had entered into a contract to buy the land but declined to comment further.
“I’m bound by a confidentiality agreement,” Mr Morris told the Townsville Bulletin.
A $30 million redevelopment is currently underway at The Ville to provide three new restaurants, a poolside function space for 700 people, an infinity-edge pool with private cabanas and swim-up bar and an elevated deck connecting the pool to the hotel’s lobby level.
According to sources, the work has meant land at the front of the resort previously used for open-air events will be no longer available and so the property needed extra space.
Even before the expansion work began, the 200-room resort needed more accommodation and car parking.
The price for the land is believed to be around the $10 million mark – well short of the almost $50 million paid by former Gold Coast developer Resort Corp for the site from Consolidated Properties at the peak of the property boom.
The site was marketed by Colliers International, who declined to comment but Sally Elliott of Smith and Elliott Real Estate who sold units off the plan for the Saltwater project said it was a signature site deserving of a spectacular development.
“It’s a signature site for Townsville and North Queensland and needs a person with a lot of vision and an overdose of testosterone,” Ms Elliott said.
The Ville Resort-Casino is a fantastic place to stay, meet, play and explore the region. Perfectly situated among tropical gardens on the picturesque Townsville Breakwater, we have a wide range of dedicated facilities for business and social events, as well as a hotel, casino, restaurants, bars and a great line-up of local, national and international entertainment. We take pride in contributing to North Queensland’s important tourism and hospitality industries. As testament to our commitment to providing excellence in all facets of the establishment, we’ve received the following awards:
2017
Trip Advisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ – score 4/5
2016
Excellence in Tourism & Events – Excellence in Marketing Winner
Booking.com ‘Certificate of Excellence’ – score 8.4/10.
Trip Advisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ – score 4/5.
2015
Trip Advisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ – score 4/5.
Booking.com ‘Certificate of Excellence’ – score 8.4/10.
2014
North Queensland Tourism Awards
Winner Restaurants & Catering – Kōbe
Winner Meetings & Business
Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Queensland Awards for Excellence
Kōbe: Best Steak Restaurant
2013
Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Queensland Awards for Excellence
Spin: Best Café Restaurant
Kōbe: Best New Restaurant
2012
Chris Morris Townsville Casino Players Club
Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Queensland Awards for Excellence
Wedding Centre in a Function Centre
Hotel Caterer of the Year
Essence: Best Restaurant in a Hotel
Essence: Northern Queensland Restaurant of the Year
Australian Hotel Association National Awards for Excellence
Aqua: Best Bistro, Regional
Savour Australia Restaurants & Catering HOSTPLUS National Awards for Excellence
Essence: Best Restaurant in a Hotel / Motel / Resort
Wedding Caterer of the Year
2011
Restaurants and Catering Awards for Excellence
Aqua: Best Breakfast Restaurant
Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence
Hotel: Best Superior Accommodation
Aqua: Best Casual Dining, Accommodation Division
Essence: Best Restaurant, Accommodation Division
North Queensland Tourism Awards
Restaurants and Catering
Jeff Webster: Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Note: until September 2015, The Ville was trading as Jupiters Townsville.
DEVELOPMENTS With a $40 million redevelopment and new name to set the scene for a new identity and total venue transformation, Jupiters Townsville has made the switch to its new name – The Ville.
This means that the preparations are now underway for the reinvention of Townsville’s iconic hotel and casino.
Chris Morris Townsville Casino Buffet
As Colonial Leisure Group (CLG) Executive Chairman Chris Morris explains, ‘The Ville’ was strategically selected because it is a name locals can identify with, a name travellers can connect to the city and it fits with the relaxed and cool resort-style vision.
Chris Morris Townsville Casino Entertainment
CLG’s vision for The Ville is not only to continue to provide high-quality entertainment, but also to rejuvenate the property, turning it into a leading regional resort and total entertainment precinct that promotes the best of Townsville, and is something North Queensland can be proud of.
Chris Morris Townsville Casino Hotel
CLG is a premium operator in the hospitality industry with 18 venues across three states in Australia, from pubs and restaurants to hotels and resorts, including the Northern Escapes group of businesses – Orpheus Island Resort, Mount Mulligan Station, Daintree Eco Lodge,Nautilus Aviation and the Flying Fish.
Click here for a media presentation delivered 5 May 2015. Stay tuned for more.