The Star lodges plans for a $500 million 6-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel and 61 storey residential tower

THE Star has gambled on Sydney’s tourism future by lodging plans for a new $500 million six-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel and 61-storey residential tower at its casino site in Darling Harbour.

THE Star has made a $500 million bet on Sydney’s tourism ­future, lodging plans with the state government this week for a new six-star hotel tower at its Pyrmont casino site.

Its gleaming $500 million, ­61-storey building with sweeping views will bring the Ritz-Carlton hotel brand back to the Harbour City after more than a decade, creating 1000 jobs during the building process and 500 more when it’s finished.

How the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residential Tower at The Star Sydney could look. Picture: Concept image

The plan had previously been supported by rival James Packer whose Crown casino tower at Barangaroo is now embroiled in a Supreme Court legal battle to ensure its views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House are not blocked by development.

“This country is experiencing significant growth in inbound tourism,” Star’s CEO Matt ­­Bek­ier said.

“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,” he said.

“Sydney lacks sufficient high-end hotels to meet this wave of international tourist ­demand.”

The entrance side to the planned Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Picture: Concept only

A concept image of the Star City’s bold new plan.

The development application for the new hotel lodged with the Department of Planning this week includes a rooftop pool terrace on top of the existing ­cas­ino but no extra gambling areas.

A “restaurant avenue” will connect the developments. The new tower, designed by Australian firm Richard Francis-Jones’ FJMT architects, will have a sky terrace and 220 hotel rooms on its top floors and 200 apartments underneath.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residential Tower will boast six stars and uninterrupted views of Sydney’s city skyline and harbour. Picture: Concept only

Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe welcomed the expansion.

“This is a very exciting development for Sydney and is going to help attract visitors in a highly competitive global market,” she said.

“The Ritz Carlton is a globally recognised brand and … adds to Sydney’s reputation.”

International Convention Centre Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said it would provide “a terrific addition” to the precinct.

“In our first 18 months of ­operation, ICC Sydney held 1100 events, attracting more than two million visitors who spent $1.5 billion in our local economy and generated 2.3 million overnight stays,” he said.

“Room capacity for event attendees remains a challenge in Sydney and extra capacity provides us with a core ingredient to win events.”

Accommodation Association of Australia boss Richard Munro said Sydney was experiencing occupancy rates of ­almost 90 per cent.

“Sydney is one of the most in demand cities in the world and we desperately need the extra rooms,” he said.

There will also be five floors dedicated to a Pyrmont Neighbourhood Centre, including a social enterprise cafe.

Originally published as The Star lodges plans for a $500 million 6-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel and 61 storey residential tower