Award-Winning Transformation: Twin City Hotel Claims Top Honour at 2025 Master Builders Awards

Hurst Constructions QLD is proud to present the transformation of the former Sunland Plaza shopping centre into Twin City Hotel – now officially recognised at the 2025 Master Builders Awards as the Best Commercial Renovation/Refurbishment over $15 million up to $30 million. This accolade celebrates not only the scale and ambition of the $22 million redevelopment but also the craftsmanship, coordination, and innovation that brought it to life. As one of Australia’s largest hospitality redevelopments, Twin City Hotel sets a new standard in modern venue design, functionality, and regional impact.

This $22 million project showcases our expertise in delivering large-scale, multi-stage constructions with precision and efficiency. Originally a retail hub, Sunland Plaza has been reimagined as a vibrant entertainment destination, seamlessly blending hospitality and commercial spaces. Now Queensland’s largest hospitality venue of its kind, Twin City Hotel sets a new benchmark in modern venue design.

Our team navigated the challenges of repurposing a 20-year-old shopping centre into a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring compliance with updated national construction codes and structural requirements.

To maintain continuity, the project was delivered in three carefully staged phases, allowing key areas such as the bottle shop, gaming room, and café to open while construction continued. Managing a live construction environment required precise coordination, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations and the surrounding community. The redevelopment included extensive structural modifications, such as removing firewalls and concrete panels, re-roofing the entire site, and adapting the fire systems through meticulous inspections and testing. The complexity of coordinating trades from across Queensland added another layer of logistical precision, requiring efficient scheduling and proactive problem-solving to maintain momentum.

A significant focus of the project was engaging local subcontractors and suppliers, reinforcing our commitment to supporting regional businesses. By leveraging local expertise, we ensured high-quality workmanship while also contributing to the North Queensland economy. The completion of Twin City Hotel has created over 250 jobs, further strengthening the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

Twin City Hotel is a tribute to Townsville’s natural beauty, integrating a palette of natural materials, earthy tones, and architectural elements inspired by the region’s coastline, rainforests, and mountain ranges. Expansive glass panels flood interiors with natural light, while outdoor spaces, including a beer garden with uninterrupted mountain views, embrace North Queensland’s tropical charm. The interior features extensive custom joinery, adding warmth, detail, and a refined aesthetic. Sustainability was a priority, incorporating energy-efficient lighting, upgraded insulation, and waste management strategies to enhance environmental performance.

The venue offers diverse entertainment and dining experiences, including a spacious atrium buffet area that creates an open, inviting atmosphere for guests. The 450-seat buffet showcases live cooking stations and an array of global cuisines, while Hervey’s Café and Lounge Bar, Downtown Bar and Plaza Bar each offer distinct dining and entertainment experiences. The gaming room features 45 of Australia’s latest gaming machines, alongside a state-of-the-art LED screen for TAB and sporting events.

Hurst Constructions QLD’s commitment to quality, innovation, and execution is evident in every aspect of this redevelopment. Our ability to adapt to evolving client needs, implement sustainable practices, and manage a live environment underscores our expertise in delivering high-calibre commercial projects. Twin City Hotel now stands as a premier destination, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in Queensland. We are honoured to have brought this vision to life, showcasing our ability to transform spaces and redefine what’s possible in large-scale commercial construction.

​Twin City Hotel now stands as a premier destination, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in Queensland – and industry recognition confirms it. We are honoured to have brought this vision to life and proud to see it awarded among the state’s best. This project is a testament to what’s possible when ambition meets execution.