The Star names architect finalists for Sydney tower
Three architects will submit plans for The Star’s Sydney tower, ahead of a community consultation.
The Star has revealed the three architects that will battle to win the right to develop its proposed $500 million Sydney tower, which is on track to open before James Packer’s new casino in the harbour city.
The casino operator said today that Grimshaw Architects, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp and BVN had been selected to present designs for the proposed Sydney development.
“We’re delighted to have such highly-regarded, award-winning architectural firms involved in the competitive design process,” The Star Entertainment’s chief executive, Matt Bekier, said today.
“Pending all necessary approvals, the delivery of another world-class hotel at The Star, wholly contained within our existing footprint, will allow us to further contribute to Sydney’s tourism offering.
“Now the design excellence process is underway we look forward to ongoing community engagement and unveiling the initial designs.”
The Star, likely taking lessons from the community backlash to Mr Packer’s Barangaroo plans, has decided to involve the community in the initial design phase, before approvals are sought. The company has set up a design panel to review the options from the three architects and it will allow community comments on all three designs. The winning architect will be required to consider community feedback in the final design.
The tower design, in addition to the hotel and residential components, will include further works to connect the new hotel to the existing casino property, which involves a restaurant and bar precinct. The Ritz-Carlton will operate the hotel upon its completion.
The tower and associated works will cost up to $500m, which is in addition to the $500m worth of upgrades and improvements under way and in planning at The Star. The casino company secured the support of its partners in the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium, for its Sydney plans.
FJMT’s design director, Richard Francis-Jones, said The Star’s project was an important development for Pyrmont and for Sydney.
“It’s an opportunity to respond to the unique quality and character of Pyrmont and Sydney, while creating a great new landmark hotel and public destination,” she said.
The start of the design process puts The Star on track to open the new 220-room hotel in mid to late 2020, at least one year before the Packer-backed Crown Resorts is expected to complete its project.
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