Construction Progress, Major Project Milestones & Investor News

SkyHaven continues to make exciting progress, with construction advancing ahead of schedule, significant opportunities emerging from major regional infrastructure projects and further progress on Stage 1 financing.

Read on for the latest developments and important investor updates.

Construction Progress: Ground Floor Slab Underway

Following the official commencement of Stage 1 construction and the on-site media launch on 3 September, SkyHaven has reached another significant milestone with the commencement of the base slab concrete pour.

Concrete trucks arrived on site at 6 am on the 16th of October, and the first sections of the ground floor slab were completed by mid-morning. Concrete pouring will continue into next week, with the ground floor structure set to begin taking shape soon.

Despite persistent, unseasonal rain throughout September, construction remains ahead of schedule, providing positive momentum as the project progresses.

MiHaven Constructions’ project management team is now permanently based on site, providing hands-on oversight of daily construction operations. The team includes Director James Mort, Head of Safety Stuart McDonald, Design Head Architect Patricio Llordella, Architect Lucia Del Moro and Project Assistant Steph Weiss.

Working closely with MiHaven Constructions’ building team and subcontractors, the team is overseeing day-to-day activities to support the ongoing delivery of Stage 1.

The latest construction milestone was celebrated in true Australian style, with the project management team, construction crew and subcontractors gathering for a well-deserved Friday lunchtime BBQ on site.

(L-R) Richard Barker, CEO Cairns & Mackay Airports, James Mort, Director MiHaven Constructions & SkyHaven Proponent, SamBrayshaw, MiHaven Constructions.

Cairns Hospital Expansion Strengthens Accommodation Opportunity

A significant development for the region occurred on 15 September, when theQueensland Government awarded the tender for Stage 1 of the Cairns Hospitalexpansion, valued at approximately $780 million, to the joint venture of CPB Contractorsand Hansen Yuncken.

The broader $1 billion Cairns Hospital expansion represents Far North Queensland’slargest single health investment in history and is set to deliver additional health services to the region.

The project is also expected to generate substantial workforce accommodation demand. Hansen Yuncken estimates an average of more than 800 additional contract workers willrelocate to and work in the region daily from late 2027 through to 2031.

SkyHaven has been nominated as the preferred accommodation facility to support thetransitional project and construction workforce as part of the CPB Contractors andHansen Yuncken tender.

This presents an important potential opportunity for SkyHaven, with the anticipatedworkforce demand closely aligning with the targeted Stage 1 opening in early 2028.

Combined with SkyHaven’s strategic location near Cairns Airport, this developmentfurther highlights the project’s potential to support the region’s growing need forconveniently located accommodation.

Stage 1 Financing Milestone

Further progress has been made with the completion of the financial facility agreementwith Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for Stage 1 non-recourse debt finance withTAA Pty Ltd.

This marks another important step in advancing the development and supporting thedelivery of Stage 1.

Investment Opportunities

As construction progresses and demand for strategically located accommodation in Cairns continues to strengthen, SkyHaven remains well positioned to pursue opportunities arising from the region’s ongoing development and infrastructure investment.

We welcome enquiries and referrals to colleagues, business associates or others who may be interested in investing in SkyHaven.

Existing investors who are considering increasing their investment allocation are also encouraged to enquire. Additional investment capacity is available, with some investors already having chosen to increase their allocation since their initial investment.

Looking Ahead

With construction progressing ahead of schedule, a major regional infrastructure project presenting a potential accommodation opportunity and Stage 1 financing arrangements completed, SkyHaven continues to move forward towards its targeted opening in early 2028.

Thank you for your continued support and confidence in SkyHaven. We look forward to sharing further project milestones and updates with you as development progresses.

Project Milestone: Ground-Breaking Ceremony at Cairns Airport

(L-R) John Zeckendorf, Sarah Mort, James Mort & Richard Barker

03 September 2026

SkyHaven has reached another major milestone, with construction now officially underway following the project’s ground-breaking ceremony at Cairns Airport on 3 September 2026. Stage 1, comprising 98 rooms, is now in the construction phase, with completion expected within 18 to 24 months.

This milestone reflects the strength of the project’s positioning, with SkyHaven described in the press release as the first short-term accommodation development at Cairns Airport and the first majorprivate-sector commercial accommodation development to break ground in Cairns in eight years. The project is also supported by pre-committed long-term accommodation demand linked to the region’sexpanding hospital precinct and tourism market.

(L-R) John Zeckendorf (Principal Mandala Asset Solutions) Sarah Mort (Co-Director MiHaven Constructions), Tony Neale (CBA), James Mort (Co-Director MiHaven Constructions) & Richard Barker (CEO Cairns & Mackay Airports)

The ground-breaking ceremony brought together key project stakeholders, including Cairns Airport, MiHaven, Mandala Hotels & Resorts and Commonwealth Bank of Australia as key lender. We are proud to share that over 90 per cent of the equity raised for the project was sourced from the business network of Cairns and the local region, reinforcing the project’s strong local backing.

SkyHaven remains a landmark development for Cairns, combining tourism and business-travelaccommodation with workforce housing support tied to the hospital precinct expansion. Mandala’shotel management expertise is expected to underpin the project’s long-term operational performanceonce the property opens.

MiHaven Living accommodation portfolio sold

We’re pleased to share that MiHaven Living’s Cairns accommodation portfolio has been sold to Redhill Hospitality Group. The portfolio includes 131 rooms across three shared-living properties in Pembroke, Gatton and Martyn Streets, and reflects the strength and adaptability of the accommodation model developed by James and Sarah Mort.

Purpose-built for student accommodation between 2018 and 2020, the properties proved their versatility during the pandemic by seamlessly transitioning to accommodate other guest types. Today, they continue to serve a broad mix of transient guests, including working holidaymakers, young professionals, and local and international students from nearby campuses.

The sale follows strong performance for the portfolio, with occupancy reported above 90% and long-term bookings helping underpin its success. We’re proud of what MiHaven Living has achieved in central Cairns and excited to see the next chapter for these properties under Redhill Hospitality Group.

Cairns MiHaven Living’s accommodation portfolio sold - ResortBrokers _ The Hotel Conversation_Page_1.jpg

Cairns MiHaven Living’s accommodation portfolio sold - ResortBrokers _ The Hotel Conversation_Page_2.jpg

Cairns MiHaven Living’s accommodation portfolio sold - ResortBrokers _ The Hotel Conversation_Page_3.jpg

MiHaven takes home two awards at 2025 HIA Cairns Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards

We were the proud winners of two awards at the recent 2025 HIA Cairns Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, taking home the 'Specialised Housing'  award and our young gun apprentice, Rhianna McDonald, taking home 'Apprentice of the Year' award. Rhi will be going up against other winners at the National Master Builder Awards in November. We'll be crossing our fingers and toes she takes the prize home!! 

KIA AUSTRALIA APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Cairns Airport Traffic is BOOMING - SkyHaven will offer Prime Access

Front page of The Cairns Post (Wednesday, 4th of December), reads an exciting time for travel tourism in Cairns. “Flying High - Plane as Day” is the headline, sharing the good news of 270,000 people expected to travel through our city airport over the next three weeks.

International passenger numbers in Cairns have exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time consistently, with 2025 positioned as a bumper year by the Cairns Airport CEO, Richard Barker.

Some of the new and returning flights from this year, include:

• Jetstar’s first ever direct flight from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast

• the seasonal return of Cathay Pacific’s international flight routes

• the commencement this year of Singapore Airlines and AirAsia Indonesia flights

• Jetstar’s first direct flight to Christchurch

With Cairns’ first short-term airport accommodation project, SkyHaven, set to offer more accommodation options for travellers by early 2027, the future is looking very bright for Cairns and the Far North.

An artist’s impression of SkyHaven - 186 units of high-quality, purpose-built short-term accommodation at Cairns Airport.

Introducing The MiHaven Women's Racing Team

The MiHaven Women's Racing Team is a new Women’s Development Racing Team in Cairns, dedicated to transforming novice cycling enthusiasts into competitive athletes.

MiHaven’s Co-Director, James Mort with the MiHaven Women’s Racing Team

This new initiative offers an exciting opportunity to champion female participation and excellence in the sport of cycling. MiHaven is the team’s principal and naming rights sponsor, with Kuranda Pet Resort and Trinity Cycle Works also on board as co-sponsors.

"At MiHaven, we’re deeply committed to building stronger communities, and that extends beyond housing to initiatives. This team embodies the values of empowerment, perseverance, and inclusion, which are core to everything we do. We’re thrilled to support these incredible women as they break barriers in cycling and inspire others to take on new challenges.", says MiHaven co-owner and director Mr. James Mort. “By supporting this team, we’re investing in a vision where women in our community feel encouraged to chase their goals and redefine what’s possible in cycling and beyond. It’s an honour to be part of this journey".

(Pictured L-R Prue, Bianca, Lauren, Leah, Gabby and Petra)

The team’s foundation is as diverse as it is dynamic, currently comprising women aged 30 to 50, including nurses, certified fitness instructors, marketing professionals, and an engineer, with the aim to expand their team and scope from U17 riders through to senior riders still wishing to compete.  The team has already marked an impressive milestone with their first outing, by competing in the prestigious Tour of Margaret River in Western Australia earlier this month, a three-day team racing event, where they placed 6th out of 11 teams—a remarkable achievement for their debut year as a newly formed team. 

MiHaven Women’s Racing Team at the prestigious Tour of Margaret River in WA.

The riders have picked out 18 different events for different riders to participate in, including a Townsville Stage Race, the Balmoral Women’s Tour, title sponsor’s MiHaven Tablelands Tour and track cycling events.

To learn more about the MiHaven Women’s Racing Team and follow their exploits, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MiHavenWomensRacingTeam or Instagram account. 

MiHaven becomes a National FINALIST in the HIA Awards

Exciting News: Our SDA Apartments Win the 'Specialised Housing' Award!

We are absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news with our community! Last weekend, at the HIA North Queensland awards held in Townsville, our 1- and 2-bedroom SDA apartments located at 189 Swallow Street in Mooroobool were honoured with the prestigious 'Specialised Housing' Award. This recognition is not just a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation in housing but also a significant milestone for our team.

What This Award Means

Winning the 'Specialised Housing' Award is an incredible achievement that highlights the unique features and benefits of our apartments. These homes are designed with accessibility and comfort in mind, catering specifically to the needs of individuals with disabilities. We take pride in creating spaces that enhance the quality of life for our residents, and this award reinforces our dedication to that mission.

Looking Ahead: A Step Towards National Recognition

The excitement doesn’t stop here! With this award under our belt, we are now finalists for the 2025 HIA Australian Specialised Housing award, which will take place in Melbourne next year. Being recognised on a national level is an incredible honour, and we are eager to showcase our work on such a prominent stage.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey—our dedicated team, partners, and of course, our wonderful participants.

We’re excited about what the future holds…bring on Melbourne in 2025!

View our award-winning property, below!

MiHaven’s Patricio Llordello's Journey from Argentina to Queensland

It was a happy day in the offices of MiHaven when we learnt that our Argentinian-born architect, Patricio Llordella, is now eligible for registration with the Board of Architects of Queensland.

Patricio Llordella (left) pictured with MiHaven’s Project Manager, Chris Chastre.

Previously a qualified architect and university professor in Argentina, Patricio embarked on a significant personal journey four and a half years ago when he began working at MiHaven, despite having limited English proficiency.

Since then, he has become an integral part of the team, currently leading the architectural division where he designs MiHaven’s award-winning homes, including fifty Specialist Disability Accommodation dwellings. Most notably, he is overseeing the $60 million SkyHaven short-term accommodation project at Cairns Airport.

One of Patricio’s designs - an artist’s impression of the new SkyHaven short-term accommodation project located at Cairns Airport.

Over the years, Patricio has dedicated his spare time, including lunch breaks, to studying for recognition as an architect in Australia. Once this becomes official, Patricio will become the first Argentinian architect to be registered in Queensland.

We congratulate you, Patricio!

Travel Weekly features new SKYHAVEN project to it's 40,000 subscribers

Travel Weekly is a daily digital newsletter that delivers breaking news about all aspects of the travel industry. Great to see their coverage of our SkyHaven project with the headline, “Ground has been broken on MiHaven’s $60 million SkyHaven project, the first short-term accommodation facility at Cairns Airport”, sent out to their 40 000 subscribers.

Read the full article, by clicking on the image below

Travel Weekly’s coverage of SkyHaven

SkyHaven project features in The Urban Developer

Property media company, The Urban Developer has published a story about our SkyHaven project.

Interesting to note, in last month’s ediiton they spoke with Sentinel Property Group chief, Warren Ebert, who identified Cairns as one of several regional hotspots he said were, “ripe for investment and development”.