Marriott International has signed an agreement with Iconic Hotels to open its first-ever hotel in Canberra, Australia’s capital city and home to leading museums, galleries and restaurants.

Midnight Hotel, part of Geocon’s AUD$200 million residential and commercial development in Braddon, central Canberra, will open in September as an Autograph Collection hotel.

Midnight Hotel will be the second hotel for the brand to open in Australia, following the recently-renovated Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection.

“This deal marks a significant milestone for us since it will be our first in the capital of Australia,” said Richard Crawford, Senior Director, Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International. “We look forward to working closely with Iconic Hotels to bring this hotel to this market.”

Part of the 199-room hotel is an existing central garden atrium landscaped by leading Australian urban design architects, OCULUS. Building on its strong art and design concept, plans for Midnight Hotel include an artistic and purposeful design envisioned by acclaimed Australian architect firm, Fender Katsalidis. Advocating for the original through art, each guest room will feature a bespoke commissioned piece of artwork by international artist and architectural designer, Thomas Bucich.

“Canberra is in a period of unprecedented growth, with demonstrated year on year increase in domestic and international travel to our city. Our collaboration with Marriott International through Iconic Hotels perfectly aligns with this growth and enables us to cater for increased hospitality demands on a global scale as well as promote Canberra on an international stage,” said Nick Georgalis, Founder and Managing Director of Geocon, Iconic Hotels’ parent company.

The hotel will also include facilities such as a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, wellness centre, conference and event spaces and a guest lounge.

Owned and managed by Iconic Hotels, the hotels division of leading independent property developer Geocon, Midnight Hotel is the group’s first premium hotel in the market. Since its establishment as an independent local hotel operator in 2010, the group has delivered seven hotels to the accommodation market, and two food and beverage outlets. Midnight Hotel is the first hotel within the Iconic Hotels brand portfolio to sign with a hotel partner.