After 15 years of turning it into a cherished boutique resort and one of the most successful holiday businesses in town, Wendy and Alan Crossman have announced that By The Sea Port Douglas has sold. This gem has seen a remarkable transformation since the Crossman’s acquired it in 2009 but after almost two decades of ownership, the pair have decided that it’s time to hand over the reins. When the Crossman’s first took over the property, it was a motel known as Archipelago. “It’s very well built, and we saw the huge potential in it” Wendy Crossman says. From there, the transformation became a passion project, renovating it to become one of the most sought-after seaside resorts for those visiting the town. The business/property was listed for sale by Alan Crossman of Property Shop Port Douglas and Alex Stagg of McDonald Hospitality Brokers. Stepping in to head the resort is a group of private investors from Perth, who purchased the property along with its existing staff for a cool $7.2 million. In a show of commitment to the property, two members of the investing group have now relocated to the Douglas Shire to manage day-to-day operations and ensure a seamless transition for guests, something that was important to the Crossman’s when selling. “Guests can expect it to be business as usual and the same level of service they’ve always had” Wendy Crossman assured.