Facing off with Crown Barangaroo
Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group of Australia is feeling some backlash over its planned AU$500 million (US$362 million) 237-meter, 78-story hotel tower, located at Star’s Pyrmont, Sydney resort complex.
The development—designed to compete with Crown Resorts’ AU$2 billion Barangaroo casino project—will feature a 220-room Ritz Carlton hotel, 204 apartments and numerous food and beverage facilities. But irate residents say the project will block their views, create unwelcome glare and dwarf other buildings in the vicinity. The tower is scheduled to open sometime in the early 2020s. Right now, reactions from residents and New South Wales politicians have been “mixed,” according to the Brisbane Times.
On the thumbs-up side is Patricia Forsythe, executive director of the Sydney Business Chamber. Forsythe has been quoted as saying that Sydney needs “iconic” buildings and that the Star project fits that description.
Others aren’t so excited. According to Alex Greenwich, a Sydney independent member, the proposed building is an “aesthetic disgrace” that will adversely affect its neighbors and neighborhood. More than two dozen formal objections have been filed with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and more may come in until the October 9 deadline for comment. The plan must then be approved by the Independent Planning Commission.
The Times reports that a spokesperson for Lord Mayor Clover Moore said he was concerned about the plan and has called an “urgent briefing” to discuss it. Supporters say the proposed high-rise will create jobs, generate revenues and boost international tourism.
In related news, Crown Resorts reports strong interest from international and local buyers for the residences at its new Barangaroo resort overlooking Sydney Harbor.
According to CDC Gaming Reports, the resort includes the city’s first six-star hotel and also includes luxury apartments, restaurants, bars, high-end retail, a pool and spa, conference rooms and VIP gaming.
Crown says the $2.2 billion project will be complete in the first half of 2021.
“We believe that Crown Sydney will become an international tourism icon and will help Sydney attract high-net worth travelers from all parts of the world,” Crown Executive Chairman John Alexander said in the company’s annual report.
