A sod-turning ceremony has marked the first step for Ascott’s new 97-key apartment hotel near Flemington Racecourse.

Ascott Limited’s newest Oakwood Flemington Melbourne is slated to open in February 2028, fueling growth for the brand and coming just days after the opening of its second Oakwood in Australia, the Oakwood Epping in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor.

The latest opening joins the existing Oakwood Premier Melbourne, with Oakwood Premier Adelaide set to open in late 2027.

The Oakwood developments adds to a strong year of growth for The Ascott Limited in Australia with Quest Southport opening in June, followed in August by the openings of Quest Canberra Dickson and Citadines Elizabeth Street Pier Hobart, and the sod-turning ceremony for Quest Elizabeth in South Australia.

Two more hotels are expected to open across The Ascott Limited’s Australian portfolio before the end of 2026.

“Flemington is a name people immediately connect with Melbourne. Having the racecourse next door gives this property a real sense of place, and we want that character to come through in the guest experience,” Mansfield said.

“Oakwood is about the comforts of home, backed by thoughtful hospitality that blends style with practical amenities for the modern traveller. Whether guests are visiting for business, a race meeting or time away, we want them to feel settled from the moment they arrive.”

Architecture for Oakwood Flemington is led by Jackson Clements Burroughs and interiors by Cera Stribley. Contemporary architecture and interiors will draw inspiration from the adjacent racecourse, with a visual connection to the venue said to shape the property’s character.