24 July 2020 - In September 2020, Quest Apartment Hotels will open the doors of its newest property, Quest Preston, located in Melbourne’s inimitable north.

Situated on High Street, the 79-room property is in safe hands, with Quest veterans Mark and Ky O’Shea and business partners Liz and Steve Galea joining forces. Collectively, the group has some 25+ years of experience in the Quest network, working in both corporate office and franchisee functions.

Liz and Steve Galea owned and operated Quest Potts Point and Quest Beaumont Kew spanning the period from 2001-2014, while Mark and Ky O’Shea hold franchise ownership of both Quest Bundoora and Quest Epping to date. 

The addition of Quest Preston to Mark & Ky’s portfolio marks the third Quest property for the couple in Melbourne’s north, something Mark O’Shea says gives them courage, even in these challenging economic times.

“Although the business will be opening in the most difficult market climate we have experienced in our business careers, we know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“With great partners like Liz and Steve, effective business planning and a comprehensive grasp on the local market, we are confident Quest Preston will be another success for us and look forward to seeing the property come alive”, said Mark O’Shea.

Liz and Steve are also well acquainted with the Preston area, having lived in the north of Melbourne for over 12 years and Preston for 4. 

“Our two daughters attend a local Preston primary school and are involved in a number of local sporting clubs”, said Liz Galea.

“We are really excited to be operating a hotel in our local community and look forward to welcoming everyone from local retail, hospitality, corporate, government, education, health industries and more”.

And welcome they will. With a number of community infrastructure projects set to commence in the area from 2021, the group is confident the property will sustain both immediate and long-term accommodation requirements for extended stay business travellers in bourgeoning pocket.

“While we are prepared for a slower than usual opening, there are many road and rail projects starting next year which will provide opportunities for the business, and clear white-collar industry growth on the horizon, too.

“We are all in this business for the long term and strongly believe that with our joint experience in the sector, and with Steve and Liz at the helm, we have solid foundations for a prosperous business”, said Ky O’Shea.

Liz and Steve will act as property managers of Quest Preston, looking after the day-to-day operations while Mark and Ky provide auxiliary support, as the couple continue in hands-on roles at neighbouring properties Quest Bundoora and Quest Epping.

“Having three Quest properties in the North and working in unison across the trio will ensure availability for all our clients and streamline the guest experience, which is something we are all equally passionate about”, said Mark O’Shea. 

The two couples have known each other through the Quest franchise network for around fifteen years, citing the established trust, shared appreciation of the Quest brand and mutual enthusiasm for hospitality as pillars to their business relationship.

 “The relationships you hold with clients and guests are obviously critical, but equally important is the relationships among business leadership, stakeholders including our landlord Pellicano and of course the wider Quest network, so we are thrilled to be in great company on our partnership for Quest Preston”, said Steve Galea.

Quest Preston will open in September 2020. For more details, click here. 

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