Announcement on Crown Casino Queensbridge Hotel Tower

UPDATE: A $2 BILLION Crown Casino hotel set to soar 323m into the sky has been approved. SEE INSIDE THE MEGA TOWER.

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UPDATE: A $2 BILLION Crown Casino hotel that will soar 323m into the sky has been approved by the State Government, with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle welcoming the decision.

Queensbridge Hotel Tower will be 26m taller than Eureka Tower and become the nation’s tallest building featuring 388 hotel rooms and 708 apartments.

Announcing the green light for the project this morning, Premier Daniel Andrews revealed that Crown Resorts and partner Schiavello Group will pour $100 million into improvements for nearby Queensbridge Square and Sandridge Rail Bridge.

What the Queensbridge Hotel tower will look like.

The new tower will be 26m taller than the Eureka Tower.

Where will this tower stand on the world stage?

No gaming will be offered at the new hotel.

Mr Andrews said the disused rail bridge, which currently has a tribute to immigrants, could have features like New York’s famous Highline linear park that runs along former rail tracks.

“Whether it’s the complete upgrade of Queensbridge Square or the Sandridge Rail Bridge being completely re-imagined ... there is enormous public benefit,” he said.

Crown estimates the economic benefits for Victoria at $2.1 billion including the creation of 3000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and an extra 1000 operational jobs after completion.

No gaming will be offered at the new hotel, however an air bridge across Queensbridge St will give patrons access to the main casino complex.

Mr Andrews said the tower would transform Melbourne’s skyline and build on the city’s reputation as a tourism leader.

“This is a powerful vote of confidence in our city, in our state,” he said.

The tower from above.

Inside the Queensbridge Hotel Tower.

Premier Daniel Andrews says the tower will transform Melbourne’s skyline.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the 90-storey tower had been approved after Crown and Schiavello agreed to increased setbacks to improve amenity at street level.

“It’s a jobs and economic windfall for the state, and the community benefits package will be great news for this iconic part of Melbourne,” he said.

Inside the sky bridge.

An artist render of the skybridge connecting the tower to Crown.

Plans for the Queensbridge Hotel Tower.

The location of the tower.

As a project of “state significance”, the normal planning process was bypassed, however Cr Doyle welcomed the approval decision, especially the public realm investment.

“We will continue to work with the State Government and the developer consortium to achieve the best possible outcomes for what will be Australia’s largest building and its surroundings,” he said.

But City of Melbourne Greens councillor Rohan Leppert tweeted his disapproval of the process, saying the council did not provide an opinion on the tower proposal prior to Mr Wynne’s decision.

Tourism and Transport Forum Australia said approval of the new hotel was fantastic news for Victorian tourism, but a Freshwater Place residents’ group claimed that 270 unit owners will lose their views with the possibility legal action will be taken.

Residents are also concerned about the effects on them of construction noise and dust over several years.

Crown Resorts executive vice-president of strategy and development, Todd Nisbet, said the company’s three Melbourne hotels were running at over 90 occupancy.

“The proposed addition of this luxury hotel will also assist Melbourne to meet its future tourist accommodation demands, with Crown being able to offer over 2,000 guest rooms and suites upon completion,” he said.

“Melbourne is one of the world’s most liveable cities. We truly believe One Queensbridge will add to the livability and vibrancy of city life in Southbank and become a signature landmark in the Melbourne skyline with international appeal.”

Schiavello Group’s Peter Schiavello said the firm had envisaged a prime development on the site for many years.

“We are excited and look forward to creating a world class tourism and luxury residential asset — a new icon for the state of Victoria and for Australia,” he said.

It will take up to six years to complete.

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@JMasanauskas