Waverley RSL spends more than $30 million buying an Ibis hotel

Less than two weeks after its former headquarters was damaged by fire, Waverley RSL sub-branch has found a new home after buying the Ibis Glen Waverley hotel for more than $30 million this week.

🤝 Working together: The Ibis, at 295-297 Springvale Road, opened in 2007, and has 155 rooms across six storeys, a restaurant, bar and conference facilities.

• Current manager Accor will continue to operate the Ibis as usual, with the sub-branch intending to work closely to combine operations over the next one to two years.

• According to RSL Victoria, the move would see the sub-branch become the first in Melbourne to operate an accommodation business and the first in Victoria to have accommodation as its primary income source.

🔥 Rising from the ashes: To make way for the new Suburban Rail Loop station at Glen Waverley, the State Government acquired the RSL’s former home at Coleman Parade, with its closure originally due in February 2028.

• At about 7am on March 8, a fire at the Coleman Parade premises resulted in significant damage to the gambling and members’ areas. 

⏭️ What’s next? Sub-branch president Neil Slaughter said plans included the RSL providing dining and veteran support services on the ground floor.

• 🗣️ “We will work with RSL Victoria and other stakeholders to consider an interim home before we take over the Ibis Hotel,” Slaughter said.