Hilton hotel’s plans for a five-star western Sydney hotel
HILTON hotels have become synonymous with luxury all over the world, and the next destination for the high-end brand is in the heart of western Sydney.
Parramatta
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THERE are more than 540 Hilton hotels around the world, with the latest expansion of the brand marked for the heart of Parramatta’s CBD.
The hotel, which is earmarked for Macquarie St, will be designed by D-ARC Architects.
Early plans show the building reaching 27 levels or 92.7 metres high and have it optioned for a retail, commercial and residential tower.
The building at 20 - 22 Macquarie St in Parramatta will be repurposing the current six level B-grade office building that sits on the site.
On top of being a hotel, the multinational corporation also plan on opening a hotel school, a draw card that Western Sydney Business Chamber director David Borger said first piqued his interest.
“The hotel wants to turn this into a training college. Students from overseas and interstate would be interested in a hub for that,” he said.
“It’s also my understanding that Hilton, like other bigger hotels train management staff more broadly, not just for Hilton hotels, that’s the key for this proposal.”
Along with the training college the hotel plans on incorporating 245 hotel rooms, office space, an early learning centre, a ballroom and sky lounge.
The plan was first considered in December 2016, when council, under administrator Amanda Chadwick, endorsed the proposal with a revised design.
Labor councillor Pierre Esber said it was a great inclusion for Parramatta.
“We’re very excited, about the major chain that wants to be here in Parramatta,” Cr Esber said.
“A five star hotel, a chain they serve up good hotels all over the world and to have one here in Parramatta is fantastic.”
The hotel will include jobs for 90 full time workers and 120 casual or part time workers.
Mr Borger said the addition of the training college could set the city up as a “university town”.
“There have been a lot of university and education establishments, which is really positioning Parramatta as a university town,” Mr Borger said.
“I think we’ve really arrived as a city when we have brands like Hilton considering business here.
“It used to be that if a city had a cathedral they’re doing well, but now it’s about getting Apple or Hilton.”
Initial concerns were raised about the basement level of the building along with the loading dock but a revised plan seemed to address councillors concerns.
Hilton hotel used a $1.1 million sweetener to get approval for the first five star international rated hotel outside of the Sydney CBD.
The voluntary planning agreement of $1,107,000 was approved at the September 24 council, and will go towards public works
The plans originally saw the basement level part of a one in 100 year flood risk, which council asked to be reviewed.
IN OTHER NEWS
In the assessment presented to council as part of the approval, the applicant stated that they were not prepared to submit an update on the flood modelling, and said they believe that their original flood study is adequate for a feasible design.
Choosing to instead redesign the ground floor and basement without any flood modelling.
“This came to council earlier this year, the applicants have worked with us and have kept us in the loop and this is the first time that I’ve seen anything like this coming to Parramatta,” Mr Esber said.
“We’ve got plenty of motels, but you can’t get a hotel from Sunday to Thursday. This builds to the confidence in the city and confidence in the chamber.”