Kim O’Keefe MP, State Member for Shepparton and the town’s Deputy Mayor, Anthony Brophy, joined Veriu Group officials and VIP guests including CEO Zed Sanjana, local developer Terry Sofra and Valeo Construction’s Jim Tzouvelis, in a sod-turning ceremony to commemorate the commencement of construction on Veriu’s first Punthill property in regional Victoria.
Scheduled to open in late 2026, the new apartment hotel will be located on Wyndham Street in the heart of the city’s thriving Shepparton Art Museum precinct, which has recently undergone a major transformation as part of the Greater Shepparton City Council’s focus on urban renewal.
Meeting a Growing Demand
Shepparton is currently experiencing strong population growth, economic diversification and infrastructure investment. Yet, despite being home to the Goulburn Valley’s agricultural powerhouse, the city currently has limited premium apartment-style accommodation, making the decision to open the hotel here a logical one for Veriu Group CEO, Zed Sanjana.
“Strategically we’ve always sought to grow the Punthill portfolio by opening in locations supported by major sources of corporate room night demand,” Sanjana said. “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.”
He added, “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.”
Hotel Features
Construction of the new 107 key apartment hotel is now officially underway. Upon completion, it will offer a range of attractive accommodation options for guests seeking the comforts of home, offering a mix of fully self-contained modern studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, designed to accommodate both solo and group travel. Each state-of-the-art apartment comes 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 comprehensive conference and meeting facilities, secure on-site parking and a gym.
Prime Location for Business and Leisure
Adding to its appeal, the hotel’s prime location on Wyndham Street, puts it within easy walking distance of the Shepparton Art Museum, Victoria Park Lake, restaurants, the CBD, and key health and education services.
Business travellers will benefit from proximity to the region’s food processing plants, logistics hubs, and corporate offices, while leisure visitors can enjoy local wineries, nature trails, cultural festivals, and future attractions.
Project Partners and Timeline
The project is being developed by local developer Sofra Group, who has appointed Valeo to undertake the construction of the property. The hotel will operate under the Punthill Apartment Hotels brand, which is recognised for delivering modern, spacious accommodation options designed for both short and extended stays.
“Punthill Shepparton will set a new benchmark for regional accommodation, combining premium apartment facilities with the flexibility business and leisure travellers need,” said Zed 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 added: “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 Director, Jim Tzouvelis, agrees. “Valeo brings more than three decades of experience in delivering high-quality mixed-use developments, placing us in a strong position to bring the Punthill Shepparton project to life. 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.”
The Punthill Shepparton Apartment Hotel is expected to open in Q4 2026. Continuing towards Veriu Group’s ambitious plan to grow to 80 hotels nationally, the commencement of construction at Punthill Shepparton brings to a total of 5 sites under construction with Veriu Adelaide (SA), Punthill Ryde (NSW), Punthill Epping (VIC) and Veriu South Yarra (VIC) all well underway and anticipated to open between mid-2026 and 2027.
More announcements about the opening of new Punthill Apartment Hotels at various sites in both metropolitan and regional NSW are expected from Veriu Group in the coming months.
