Australia’s Star Entertainment Group has lodged a development application with the NSW Department of Planning for its new AU$500 million Ritz-Carlton hotel tower in Sydney.
The proposed hotel and residences tower at The Star Sydney complex, together with works in a connected ribbon development, will include new resort amenities, significantly more food and beverage offerings and a neighborhood center, the company said in a Wednesday morning announcement.
The Star is partnering with Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium on the project.
Acclaimed architects FJMT, led by Richard Francis-Jones, won a Design Excellence Competition in December 2016 to secure the rights to design the tower. The Ritz-Carlton hotel will include a Sky Lobby complete with a publicly-accessible signature restaurant with harbor views and a rooftop terrace.
The new development will sit wholly within the existing footprint of The Star Sydney and bring further facilities to the burgeoning Pyrmont-Darling Harbour-Barangaroo precinct. It will also support the new Sydney International Convention Centre – home to this week’s Australasian Gaming Expo – and help connect Darling Harbour to the Sydney Fish Market and The Bays Precinct.
“This country is experiencing significant growth in inbound tourism, an upward trend which shows all the hallmarks of continuing well into the future,” said Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier. “Forecasts suggest Australia’s current visitation of around 8.3 million international visitors per annum will rise to 15 million a year inside a decade.
“To cater for that demand, we need the necessary tourism infrastructure. Sydney lacks sufficient high-end hotels to meet this wave of international tourist demand, led by the rapidly expanding wealthy Chinese middle-class demographic.
“By moving to close the shortfall in supply, we can ensure we don’t miss an opportunity that offers considerable economic benefit to this city and this State.
“Bringing a world-renowned brand like The Ritz-Carlton to The Star Sydney will further embed our reputation as a tourism and entertainment destination of global appeal.
“It will also help bolster Sydney’s position in a highly-competitive regional and international market and provide national impetus as well. Australia currently attracts just 1% of China’s international outbound travelers.
“We look forward to receiving the necessary approval, allowing us to proceed with Chow Tai Fook and Far East with whom we’re already partnering on transformational projects at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast.”
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