By James Wilkinson
Lend Lease has revised its plans for a hotel at the new International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney, with the project now featuring one tower instead of the originally proposed two.
An artists’ impression of the new hotel at ICC Sydney
The hotel, originally 900 rooms, is now expected to be around 500 to 700 and Lend Lease says construction is still expected to commence in the third quarter of 2014 and open in 2016.
As revealed by SpiceNews in December 2012, the hotel component of the project was expected to be finalized by April 2013 and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) continues to be rumoured as the operator of the upper-upscale property.
Lend Lease’s Group Head of Development, David Hutton, said the design and scale of the hotel was changed following community feedback.
“In response to community consultation undertaken earlier this year, we have created a more elegant and slimmer hotel design which improves view sharing with surrounding buildings and provides more public space and flexibility at the ground level,” he said.
“The new hotel will be a major addition to Sydney’s hospitality offering with quality accommodation for international delegates, tourists and business travellers.
“The hotel will contribute to the new ICC facilities becoming a world-class destination,” Hutton said.
He said the design of the hotel had been awarded to leading practice Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT).
“Richard Francis-Jones’ architecture is acclaimed around the world and we are delighted to be working with him again following successful collaborations at Jackson’s Landing in Pyrmont and the award winning Darling Quarter at Darling Harbour,” he said.
The new hotel will feature a restaurant, bar, ballroom, meeting rooms, pool, gym, and reception and will be located in front of the Novotel and Ibis hotels in Darling Harbour.
“We are delighted to be working on this new hotel for Sydney,” said Francis-Jones said. “We believe the hotel will be an exciting addition to Darling Harbour and the city, complementing the new ICC and providing a great experience for delegates and visitors.”
The re-designed property has been welcomed by TTF and the organisation’s CEO Ken Morrison said the hotel was “integral to the new precinct”.
“This hotel, with its striking design, will provide the ultimate in convenience for people attending events at the new ICC Sydney,” he said.
“As well as accommodation, dining and entertainment options, the hotel will provide events facilities to complement those at the ICC.
“It will be a boon to the tourism industry, with the addition of up to 650 new rooms to Sydney’s accommodation stocks to help New South Wales achieve its goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020,” Morrison said.
Lend Lease said over the coming weeks it would consult with the community over the new design and a Development Application would be lodged, something followed by a period of public exhibition.
