Australian casino operator The Star Entertainment today announced that three architectural firms had been invited to take part in the design competition for a new tower the company is planning to add to its existing The Star casino complex in Sydney. A six-star Ritz-Carlton hotel with 220 rooms, a number of residential premises, as well as different other amenities are planned to be included in the A$500-million expansion project.
The development, which was first announced early in 2016, also comes as an addition to the A$500-million upgrades that have already been undertaken at the major Sydney-based complex. The construction of the new tower has been backed by The Star Entertainment’s Hong Kong-based partners Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook, with whom the operator is working together on the A$3-billion Queen’s Wharf integrated resort in Brisbane.
The new tower will be added to The Star Casino’s existing property. The three architectural firms that are competing for the right to design the new addition to the complex will be unveiled next week, The Star Entertainment announced earlier today.
With the design process being started, the gambling operator seems to be on track to complete and open the new tower no later than 2020, a year earlier than the projected launch of Crown Resorts’ Barangaroo integrated resort. The addition of the more amenities at The Star complex in Sydney actually comes in a bid for the venue and its owner to fight competition arising from Crown Resorts’ property.
The Star Entertainment said that it is important for the company to receive community’s feedback on how the new tower should look before proceeding with its construction. Three initial designs will be displayed in October and will be reviewed by residents, external stakeholders, and a Design Review Panel, comprised of top Star officials and New South Wales government representatives.
After the design is ready, the project needs to be granted the necessary approvals so as for The Star Entertainment to be able to break ground on the tower.
Commenting on the latest developments, Matt Bekier, Chief Executive of the major Australian gambling operator, said that Sydney needs more high quality hotels and exciting entertainment options in order to be competitive enough and to benefit from the overall tourism growth expected to be registered in Australia, with the country gradually turning into a popular destination for Chinese tourists.
