Veriu Group is set plant a flag in regional Victoria for the first time with the opening of an apartment hotel in the fast-growing city of Shepparton late next year.
Construction commenced on Punthill Shepparton this week, with Kim O’Keefe MP, State Member for Shepparton and the town’s Deputy Mayor, Anthony Brophy, joining Veriu Group executives and CEO, Zed Sanjana, local developer Terry Sofra and Valeo Construction’s Jim Tzouvelis, and guests for a sod-turning ceremony.
The 107-key apartment hotel will be located within Wyndham Street’s Shepparton Art Museum precinct, which has recently undergone a major transformation as part of the Greater Shepparton City Council’s focus on urban renewal.
“Strategically we’ve always sought to grow the Punthill portfolio by opening in locations supported by major sources of corporate room night demand,” said Veriu Group CEO, Zed Sanjana.
“While Shepparton has historically been undersupplied in terms of quality extended stay accommodation, it’s a key regional centre which is continuing to benefit from sustained private and public investment.
“According to the Victorian Government, the Goulburn Valley is also forecast to add 5,400 new jobs by 2027, rising to around 19,450 by 2034 all of which are drawing more corporate visitors and businesses to the area.”
“Alongside this, a growing number of regional sporting events, festivals and cultural activities like exhibitions at the Shepparton Art Museum, as well as existing and proposed attractions are continuing to deliver a sustained uplift in tourist visitation, further strengthening demand for quality short and extended-stay accommodation.
“We’ve already built a very successful business based on our extended stay accommodation model under both our Veriu Hotels and Punthill Apartment Hotel brands. We know that Punthill Shepparton will fulfil a real need for both corporate and leisure travellers, and it’s been a key factor driving our decision to open a property here.”
The property will feature a mix of fully self-contained modern studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, each with its own balcony, a fully equipped kitchen, desk, Smart TV, fast, high-quality internet and in-room laundry facilities, as well as access to conference and meeting facilities, secure on-site parking and a gym.
“Punthill Shepparton will set a new benchmark for regional accommodation, combining premium apartment facilities with the flexibility business and leisure travellers need,” said Sanjana.
“This is an investment not just in a hotel, but in Shepparton’s ongoing growth as a destination of choice for visitors and businesses.”
Developer Terry Sofra said, “We’re proud to be investing in our community and contributing to what will be a key piece of infrastructure for Shepparton to support its future.
“It will provide a significant boost to local tourism, the economy, and the broader community.”
Valeo brings more than three decades of experience in delivering high-quality mixed-use developments.
“Working alongside Sofra Group and The Veriu Group, we’re combining proven construction expertise with a shared vision to deliver a landmark development that will really raise the bar for the region,” said Valeo Director, Jim Tzouvelis.
With ambitious plan to grow to 80 hotels nationally, the addition of Punthill Shepparton brings Veriu Group to a total of five sites under construction with Veriu Adelaide (SA) Punthill Ryde (NSW), Punthill Epping (VIC) and Veriu South Yarra (VIC) well underway and anticipated to open between mid-2026 and 2027.