The Ascott Group has secured a contract from Ascott Residence Trust, to manage an existing serviced residence located in Melbourne's Central Business District.

Ascott will manage the 43-unit property, Somerset Gordon Heights - its eighth in Australia – for five years, with the option to renew the contract for another five years. 

Mr Cameron Ong, The Ascott Group's Managing Director and CEO said: "Australia is an important market for Ascott; we currently operate seven properties in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney. Melbourne is not only a popular location for meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions, it is also an attractive destination for major international sporting events.

As such it is able to attract a steady flow of business and leisure travellers alike. Together with Somerset Gordon Place and Somerset on Elizabeth, we are confident in increasing our market share in Melbourne and maintaining our competitive position by attracting a mix of long and short-stay business from corporate accounts and the leisure sector."

Mr Chong Kee Hiong, Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited's (ARTML) CEO said: "We awarded the management contract to The Ascott Group as it has a proven track record in Melbourne with the existing properties performing well under its management. As the Group is managing Somerset Gordon Place which is situated directly opposite Somerset Gordon Heights, it is able to offer unmatched synergies and operational economies of scale through the sharing of common facilities."

A five-storey serviced residence, Somerset Gordon Heights is situated at 19-25 Little Bourke Street and offers 43 fully-furnished studios, one and two-bedroom apartment units and two-bedroom penthouses. It is a short five-minute walk away from the Bourke Street tram stop, and is surrounded by theatres, numerous restaurants, cafés, department stores and government buildings including the State Parliament. 


With the addition of Somerset Gordon Heights, Ascott currently operates more than 520 units in eight properties across Australia.