The first 111-room Sage Hotel will be located in Fortitude Valley in the refurbished TCB heritage building.

The TCB building, owned by Forwin International, dates back to 1902 when it was a department store operated by Irish draper Thomas Charles Beirne. The new hotel will open within the building at the end of 2015 when the refurbishment is complete.

Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer at SilverNeedle Hospitality Iqbal Jumabhoy said, “At SilverNeedle Hospitality, we recognise there is an important group of business travellers who desire a stable and uncomplicated life as they conduct their business in unfamiliar cities.

“Not only is the Sage Hotel designed to fulfill the needs of this group, it also complements our suite of offerings that includes six other brands. Our intention is to develop the Sage Hotel brand throughout Asia Pacific in the upscale segment.”

Sage Hotel Fortitude Valley will be SilverNeedle Hospitality’s second Brisbane property following the opening of Next Hotel in the CBD later this year.

SilverNeedle Hospitality also operates the SilverNeedle Collection of boutique hotels, Chifley, Country Comfort, Australis and Sundowner brands.

Sage Hotels are planning to open properties in primary and secondary urban cities in Asia Pacific in CBD and CBD fringe areas near primary transportation hubs.