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ICC Sydney precinct gains luxury tower hotel
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INTERNATIONAL Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney’s redeveloped Darling Harbour precinct is to be capped off with a luxury hotel tower.
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner made the announcement on August 26. Mr Stoner said the premium harbour-side hotel would have around 600 rooms and be a standout feature of the NSW Government’s $2.5 billion transformation of Darling Harbour.
“This will be the first large luxury hotel built in Sydney’s CBD since the 2000 Olympics, and shows that Sydney well and truly has its mojo back,” Mr Stoner said. 
“The hotel will be operated by Accor under its French luxury hotel brand Sofitel, which
aligns with the conference, special event and tourism functions of Darling Harbour. The NSW Government is delighted that its development partner for this part of the
project, Lend Lease, has secured an agreement with Australia’s largest private hotel
investor, Dr Jerry Schwartz, to deliver the hotel.
ICC chief executive officer and AEG Ogden Group director of convention centres, Geoff Donaghy has welcomed the announcement “of the new luxury five-star Sofitel hotel for Sydney’s new premier business events precinct on Darling Harbour”.
“Our international and national attendees will now have a deluxe five-star hotel just 30m from the entrance to the harbour side foyer entry to the conventional centre, further adding to the great array of accommodation choices within easy walking distance of the venue,” Mr Donaghy said.
“Today’s technology enables us to inform and involve delegates better than ever before and we look forward to providing exceptional experiences at what is set to become ICC Sydney’s headquarters hotel.”
Designed by renowned architect Richard Francis-Jones, the hotel “will be an impressive addition to the precinct, complementing the showcase major events venue and reinvigorated public spaces” according to Mr Stoner.
Mr Stoner said the hotel would boost the city’s visitor economy by expanding the supply and range of hotel accommodation for corporate travellers and tourists.
“Sydney had nearly 2.9 million international overnight visitors in the year to March 2014, and this luxury hotel will be yet another drawcard for our city,” Mr Stoner said.
“Construction of the new 35-storey hotel is expected to start in late 2014, and it is due for completion in the first half of 2017.
“ICC Sydney will be capable of collectively hosting more than 12,000 delegates and holding multiple large conferences and exhibitions concurrently, and will ensure NSW remains a leading destination for business events in the Asia Pacific.
“Construction of the $1.1 billion centre is well underway, and it is attracting increasing global interest, highlighted by the recent announcement that Sydney has secured Sibos, the largest and most influential financial event in the world, for 2018.
“This is an infrastructure investment that will deliver on the national, state and local scale, hosting international exchange, generating about $200 million in annual economic benefit for NSW, and providing great new public places for everyone to enjoy.
“Across the 20-hectare redevelopment, the project will create about 3,700 jobs during construction, with a further 4,000 jobs on completion including a range of hospitality and tourism employment opportunities.
“This an exciting time for Sydney, and the new convention, exhibition and entertainment centre is just one of a raft of major infrastructure projects gaining momentum across the city,” Mr Stoner said.
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