Stack of gambling chips as one of 60 storey Star Casino tower prospects at Pyrmont
There are three competing schemes unveiled for a 215 metre high six-star hotel and apartment building in Pyrmont at the Star Casino.
It is set to rival James Packer's Crown casino and six-star hotel a short distance away at Barangaroo. Grimshaw Architects, BVN and FJMT have all won numerous awards for their innovative designs around the world. The Star Entertainment Group has engaged Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium to partner in the development, pending all necessary approvals for the project. The world-renowned The Ritz-Carlton is set to operate the hotel upon its completion.
The first Star Casino design from global architects Grimshaw, which commentators suggest merges skyscraper with silo:
There is an angular multi-faceted edifice from BVN.
The most dramatic tower of the trio is FJMT's spiral twist, which some have already suggested looks like an askew stack of silver Star casino gaming chips (top picture above).
"The international calibre and local credentials of our architects will ensure that The Star can showcase its home-grown Sydney character in world-leading ways that befit our city’s global status," says Matt Bekier, CEO of The Star Entertainment Group.
“Our development concept will take The Star's room inventory to more than 1,000, bring The Ritz-Carlton brand back to Sydney, and add a further 20 food and beverage venues."
It opens up the potential for more towers on the peninsula, says the Urban Taskforce.
“The bold designs for the Star Casino’s proposed 215 m high tower should lead to more towers on the Pyrmont peninsula,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson.
“The Sydney CBD peninsula is looking spectacular with its vertical combination of tall towers and as the city grows this should be balanced by something similar on the Pyrmont peninsula.”
“The new tall hotel at Darling Harbour has already set the precedent for a high-rise urban landscape for Pyrmont and the new Star Casino tower will complement this. We only need to fill in the space between the two towers and an exciting tower cluster could add a new dimension to Sydney.”
“With the White Bay development nearby it is clear that the energy for Sydney’s growth is now emerging on the peninsula to the west of the traditional city centre. It is important that new towers contain a mix of uses including retail, offices, apartments and hotels.”
“All three designs by Sydney architects Grimshaw, BVN and FJMT have great qualities and it will be difficult for the judges to select a winning design.”
The tower is anticipated to be completed within three years once a design has been selected and development approvals have been issued.
The final preferred scheme will be decided by a five-person Design Review Panel.
Peter Poulet, NSW Government Architect & Executive Director, Office of State Architect
Lisa-Maree Carrigan, Director, Group GSA
Craig Allchin, Adjunct Professor of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Director Six Degrees Urban Pty Ltd
James Doolan, Regional Vice-President Hotel Development – Asia Pacific, Marriott International
Greg Hawkins, Managing Director, The Star Sydney
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