First look: SkyCity unveils $330m Adelaide casino expansion on the Riverbank precinct
SkyCity has rolled the dice on a push to lure well-heeled gamblers back to the table as it unveils a plush, $330m expansion of its Adelaide Casino. Take an exclusive first look inside.
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South Australia’s newest tourist attraction - the $330m SkyCity casino extension - will officially open its doors next week.
The nine-level complex features a five-star hotel, restaurants, bars, gaming lounges, banquet rooms, conference centre and the state’s most expensive suite.
Four hundred staff have been employed to work in the expanded casino and new Eos hotel, which has 120 rooms ranging in price from $410 to $5500 a night.
Conceived before the pandemic which has crippled international tourism, SkyCity Adelaide general manager David Christian said the casino knew it was facing unforeseen challenges but was confident the new complex would be a success.
Mr Christian said he believed the extension – opening at midday next Thursday – provided a first-class offering to interstate and local gamblers.
“When the pandemic hit and we forced to shut down back in March, the board made the decision that we would keep going, we would push ahead and open as soon as we could,” he said.
“And here we are. We could have hit pause but we chose not to.”
Mr Christian said the biggest financial consequence of the pandemic would be the lack of international visitors, especially professional gamblers from Asia.
“Primarily it’s the lack of international high rollers and international tourists that will impact the hotel and our other facilities, which we know would have high appeal to international tourists.
“We know the business is going to take a hit so we have been ramping up our interstate marketing. The response has been significant.”
Mr Christian said another issue was the downturn in the number of people spending time in the Adelaide CBD because of COVID-19, which has seen the state locked down twice since March.
“My other concern is the significant decline in visitation to the CBD but I think we might be an impetus to turn that around and people might come into the CBD because of us,” he said.
Mr Christian, who was part of the original team which planned the extension a decade ago, said its construction was largely the result of lobbying by SkyCity board member and prominent Adelaide business figure, Bruce Carter.
“One of the key drivers was Bruce, he is an Adelaidean and has been the champion of this project since 2010,” he said.
“His argument was that the Riverbank precinct was going to be developed and was going to become an integral part of Adelaide
“He was just really positive about the future of Adelaide and saw an opportunity for a proper integrated entertainment complex as opposed to a pure casino.”
Mr Christian said he was proud to have been part of the team which had delivered the extension.
“I just know the value a real world class integrated facility can have on a city in terms of employment, entertainment and tourism,” he said.
“I really believe Adelaide deserved that and was ready for that and it has been great being part of the process to make it happen.”
Tap here for 36 photos of the new gaming floor, bar, restaurants and hotel suites.
Along with employing hundreds of South Australians, Mr Christian said the New Zealand-based SkyCity had internal polices to ensure there was a “huge” emphasis on sourcing goods and services from within the state.
“One of the real positives of SkyCity is that you have to be real local business,” he said.
“You have to cater for your markets and operate as a core local business.”
The company had purchased 900 pieces of artwork for the casino and hotel from South Australian artists while its head sommelier had spent a considerable amount buying wine from local wineries in the aftermath of last summer’s bushfires.
Much of the wine has ended up in a 7500-bottle cellar which will be used by a rooftop restaurant, Sol, which would source all of its produce from within the state.
The restaurant has sweeping views of the Adelaide CBD and across the River Torrens to the Adelaide Oval.
Along with an adjoining rooftop bar and a spa and wellness centre, it will be open to the public while other facilities will be limited to guests.
Mr Christian said he was looking forward to showing the new complex to the South Australian public.
“I think we have got a fantastic product, we have got a great team of people, highly engaged staff and we will deliver an experience to our customers beyond anything else that they can get,” he said.
“That will really give us competitive advantage.
“From an interstate perspective, because we are smaller than the other casinos we can personalise it so much better than they can.
“This is the first time we have been able to compete against interstate casinos like Crown and Star which have been taking South Australian gamblers for years.
“We are going to provide a product which I just know people are going to love.”
Mr Christian said he “felt like the luckiest guy in Australia right now”.
Eos general manager Jodi Brown said she was confident the new hotel would be an overwhelming success.
Ms Brown said the Eos had received inquiries from across the country and within South Australia from potential guests, including two advance bookings for its most expensive suite, The Grace Villa.
“I am feeling really positive,” she said.
“The level of interest has been really pleasing given everything which is going on at the moment.
“Demand will only increase as the restrictions continue to ease.”
Ms Brown said she was looking forward to welcoming her first guests next week.
“Given it has been a really challenging year for (hotel) operators, this is a nice news story to come at the end of 2020,” she said.
“I have a fantastic team ready to deliver a very personalised, indulgent stay for our guests. We all can’t wait.”
WHAT YOU GET FOR $5500 A NIGHT
The Grace Villa is the most expensive hotel suite in South Australia at $5500 a night.
Covering 305sq m, it features a large lounge with panoramic views, separate dining area, study, two bedrooms with walk in robes and en suites, a large bathtub overlooking Adelaide Oval, fully-equipped private gymnasium, sauna, steam showers and a pantry.
Eos general manager Jodi Brown said a butler would cater for guests’ needs, delivering food through a separate entry point which has a large fridge.
“There is an in-room table for ordering food and drinks, a full complimentary bar, treats and nibbles from across South Australia, South Australian wine and South Australian fruit juice.’
Check in for all rooms at the Eos will be 3pm, with checkout at 12 noon.
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