Landmark hotel approved for convention, exhibition and entertainment hub

The latest piece of the transformation of Sydney’s convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct has received the green light from the NSW Government, with a landmark hotel given planning approval.

Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Minister for Planning Pru Goward welcomed the milestone achieved in the development of the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney at Darling Harbour hotel.

Mr Stoner said the hotel would create an impressive focal point for a revitalised Darling Harbour.

“It will be a spectacular addition to the new ICC Sydney precinct, helping to transform the area into a more vibrant and cosmopolitan part of our nation’s only global city,” Mr Stoner said.

“The hotel will form part of the NSW Government’s $2.5 billion transformation of Darling Harbour, eventually complementing the high standard of events taking place at the new convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities right next door.”

Ms Goward said the hotel would be a draw card to the precinct for interstate and international visitors.

“The NSW Government is building a world-class convention centre and we’ve now approved a world-class hotel to match,” Ms Goward said.

“This will be the finishing touch to the transformation of Darling Harbour.”

The hotel will feature:

• a unique and instantly recognisable architectural design marking the northern end of the ICC Sydney and western side of Cockle Bay
• luxury hotel accommodation with up to 616 rooms to support the special event and tourist functions of Darling Harbour
• ancillary bar and restaurant, ballroom and meeting/function centre, pool and fitness facilities
• a club-lounge within a sculpted roof feature·

Construction on the 35 storey hotel is expected to start towards the end of 2014, with 350 construction jobs and 250 operational jobs being created as a result of the project.

Across the entire redevelopment, about 3,700 jobs are being created during construction, with a further 4,000 jobs on completion.

This is the third stage of the revitalisation to be given approval, with the first two elements – the convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct, and the first stage of the new urban neighbourhood of Darling Square – previously being determined.