NEWS: Multi-billion dollar themed resort for Perth

[jedimaster1227]

RGH Themed Entertainment has sent us a press release regarding the announcement of their work on developing a multi-billion dollar resort for Perth, Australia.

 

Newly formed InspireWA continues to lead the development of a multi-billion dollar integrated themed resort for Perth, Australia, with the appointment of RGH Entertainment as master planner and concept designer for the project.

 

Responding to the State Government’s recent emphasis on the urgent need for hotel development, InspireWA is moving forward with its plan to develop and construct a world class holiday resort in collaboration with RGH Themed Entertainment, a division of Rubicon Group Holding Entertainment (RGH).

 

RGH Entertainment, a global organisation with divisions in Los Angeles (United States), Manila (Philippines) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), is a diversified entertainment company devoted to the creation of incomparable entertainment experiences. RGH brings to Perth the master planning reputation and concept design expertise required for a themed resort of this magnitude.

 

In May 2011, RGH was selected to lead the design and development of The Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA), a 184-acre themed entertainment resort located in Aqaba, Jordan. TRSA is host to four world-class hotels, an expansive retail, dining and entertainment district, and an impressive array of attractions, which, through a license from CBS Consumer Products, will prominently feature an amazing attraction inspired by the 2009 international hit motion picture, Star Trek.

 

“We are proud to announce RGH is in charge of another extraordinary themed resort destination and elated with the opportunity to move this remarkable project forward for families from around the world to enjoy,” said RGH CEO Randa Ayoubi.

 

Lenny Larsen, Director of Themed Entertainment at RGH Entertainment’s Los Angeles-based division where the bulk of the concept and design work for InspireWA will be performed, added, “RGH is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new development for Western Australia. The team at InspireWA have envisioned something truly magnificent for Perth and we can’t wait to see it take shape.”

 

RGH will be visiting Perth in late February to inspect the short-listed precinct locations and continue initial design phases with the team. This visit will also coincide with that of a major international hotel group that has expressed interest in the project.

 

InspireWA has also formally engaged Jurgen Baumhoff, member of the Global Hoteliers Club and World Travel & Tourism Council, as Project advisor. Mr. Baumhoff possesses over 35 years of experience designing, developing and operating major leading hotel brands across four continents, bringing a high level of international hospitality expertise to the project.

 

In August 2011 InspireWA received a formal letter of support from ToursimWA acknowledging that “the realisation of this project would be a major asset to the economy and community of Western Australia.”

 

Vast interest continues to be received from leading WA and Australian tourism, entertainment, and attraction entities. In late February 2012, InspireWA will host a combined investor and information evening where further information on the project’s concept and status will be disclosed. Special guests at this information evening will include representatives from RGH and aforementioned hotel group.

 

Commencement of the project’s Feasibility Study is expected in 2012. Mr. Stephen Inouye, Technical Director of InspireWA said, “The aim of the Project Feasibility Study is to objectively define and assess the opportunities and threats associated with the development of an integrated themed resort of this magnitude in Western Australia. All factors including impacts on the market environment and economy, assessment of the regulatory climate and environmental impacts, capital requirements and strategies, etc. shall be considered.” For InspireWA, Mr. Inouye stated, “The Feasibility Study shall serve as the central mechanism to support the project team’s decision-making process. This study forms the basis for the cost-benefit analysis on project viability.”

 

Initial assessment of the greater Perth metropolitan area has revealed four potential regions suitable for the integrated resort; however, the final location will not be announced until the completion of all final feasibility studies.

 

InspireWA will shortly be commencing its social media campaign.

Edited May 28, 2013 by jedimaster1227

[gisco]

If you don't want to read the whole article above, here is the short version: First they are going to do a feasability study then see if anyone wants to sink any money into this!

[-Edge of Beast-]

It sure looks like a good park... let's hope it can make it through the planning stage though.

[JimmyBo]

They have that much water in Australia? I thought that place was a desert and hot and has delicious kangaroos.

[deathbydinn]

I'm confused, is this the same park as this: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=58672&p=1057285

Or did that fall through and Perth just really wants a billion dollar resort?

[jedimaster1227]

^From what I could tell, this is a completely different project. Different developers, same area, same local support.

[australianalex]

Would be great if this went ahead.

[jedimaster1227]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12299811/new-backers-for-theme-park-plan/

 

The WA-based proponents of a multibillion-dollar theme park and resort in Perth have released an artist's impression of what it could look like, complete with hotels, nightclub strip and zoo.

 

Inspire WA says it is pressing ahead with the ambitious project after the original backers, Italian animatronics entertainment company Ermes Technologies, dropped out.

 

The Los Angeles-based themed entertainment division of Jordanian company Rubicon Group Holdings took over the design and development after meeting Inspire WA representatives in Orlando, Florida, last month.

 

Eric Pearson, a director of Inspire WA, which rebranded itself after it dropped the name Ermes when it split from that company, said a confidentiality agreement prevented him revealing why it parted ways with the Italians.

 

He said RGH representatives would fly to Perth in February to inspect potential locations in the Wanneroo, Swan, Rockingham and Peel districts.

 

A $2 million feasibility study is scheduled to begin in mid-2012. Inspire WA hopes construction will begin in late 2013 and finish in 2016.

 

Mr Pearson said he had been prepared for scepticism after it was revealed the plan was to attract two million tourists a year to the park but most people looked on it positively.

 

"I'm just amazed the larger percentage see there's something on the horizon," he said. "It is possible, everything's possible."

 

Mr Pearson's vision includes local universities getting involved in running the precinct's safari park and stage shows.

 

RGH themed entertainment director Lenny Larsen said the company was "super exited" about the project.

 

"Inspire WA have envisioned something truly magnificent for Perth and we can't wait to see it take shape, first on our drawing boards and later on the beautiful site that has been identified for the project," he said.

 

RGH signed on in May to design and develop a US$1.5 billion Star Trek theme park in Jordan.

 

Tourism Minister Kim Hames, who has met Inspire WA representatives, said they had "interesting ideas" and he looked forward to seeing the results of the feasibility study.