Westin

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In a first for Urban.com.au, the subject of this article is a new Westin branded hotel not for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or even Perth. Instead, the Bates Smart-designed Westin will be developed in the Northern Territory's capital city Darwin.

Located right on the waterfront, the hotel has been designed to form important and meaningful connections between the city and the water, with the dual aim of enhancing the precinct and providing a gateway to the natural wonders of the Northern Territory beyond.

According to architects Bates Smart, the vision for the Westin Darwin Hotel is "the creation of an iconic tropical hotel that embodies the rich natural and cultural heritage of the location."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/m12069_n4_webview.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Westin Darwin Hotel. Image: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/m12069_n4_webview.jpg?itok=8dgdrN8d" title="The Westin Darwin Hotel. Image: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Westin Darwin Hotel. Image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>The design team studied the geographic story of the site, the historic context and the requirements of the climate, with the design response producing a curved form which references the layered histories of the waterfront. This embeds the hotel with a strong sense of place and a response to its context.

<blockquote>
The lower levels are inspired by the nearby rock formations and capture the spirit of the local landscape through the use of natural stone, complemented with lush landscaping and water features.

Areas for rest and reflection are aided by verandas and breeze ways which respond to the tropical environment, but also reference the heritage buildings within Darwin.

The upper levels of the hotel are inspired by tree canopies. Dark metal and timber screens create dappled patterns of light, but also provide valuable shading for the humid temperature.

Importantly, the design incorporates a seawall which is designed to protect the hotel from significant weather events and cyclonic wave activity, but that at the same time provides a generous pedestrian path and access to the waterfront for the local community.

- Bates Smart
</blockquote>

A garden restaurant and bar provides patrons with an authentic Northern Territory dining experience, supported by a rooftop garden accommodating additional restaurant facilities, and infinity pool providing expansive views over the waterfront. The hotel's rooftop can be accessed via a skywalk from Goyder Park.

Additionally, the hotel includes a diverse range of function and conference facilities with new spaces for events for Darwin locals and visitors.

High-quality materials and detailing have been provided throughout the interiors complemented by a neutral palette of soft tonal textured finishes which add a tactile quality to the spaces.

<blockquote>
Our intention is for the hotel to embody the spirit of Darwin, the land and nature and to create an identity that is uniquely connected to the Northern Territory.

- Cian Davis, Bates Smart Studio Director
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/m12069_n10_webview.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Westin Darwin Hotel will be located right on the waterfront. Image: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/m12069_n10_webview.jpg?itok=KPl-tPVL" title="Westin Darwin Hotel will be located right on the waterfront. Image: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Westin Darwin Hotel will be located right on the waterfront. Image: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>The design of the Westin Darwin Hotel will achieve the following:

<ul>
<li>Iconic tropical hotel that embodies the rich natural and cultural heritage of the location.</li>
	<li>Connects the city and the water, enhancing the waterfront precinct.</li>
	<li>A generous pedestrian path provides access to the waterfront for the local community.</li>
	<li>The design references the historic context and the requirements of the climate.</li>
	<li>The hotel offers tropical luxury with beautiful rooms and iconic dining offerings.</li>
	<li>A diverse range of function and conference facilities provides the people of Darwin with new spaces for events.</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

Bates Smart designs new Westin for Australia's top end

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Adelaide's General Post Office development scored a shot in the arm today with a hotel operator confirmed for project.

Marriott International Group will assume operating rights over the $200 million hotel development which is backed by developer Greaton. Overlooking Victoria Square, the Westin-branded outlet which is set to open during 2022 will include 285 rooms and in turn create 250 ongoing jobs upon its completion.

Westin's arrival follows on from Greaton's move to rework the development during April, applying for the right to deliver Adelaide's first five-star hotel. Approval was granted during May, subject to a number of conditions.

Hassell has undertaken design duties for the 16-level hotel which will see the existing General Post Office building refashioned to include retail spaces and associated hotel uses.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image7_22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Westin Adelaide. Images: Greaton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="239" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_22.jpg?itok=vZcr53hX" title="Westin Adelaide. Images: Greaton" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Westin Adelaide. Images: Hassell</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
We are thrilled to partner with Marriott International to deliver a five-star wellness experience to the city of Adelaide. The ground floor will have a first class restaurant, a long bar and conference facilities.

This will be a true hotel and not mixed use. I am proud of South Australia and my contribution here and this will go ahead.
<cite>Greaton managing director Nicho Teng</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We're delighted to collaborate with our longstanding partner Greaton to expand the Westin brand in South Australia. The brand is enjoying phenomenal growth across Australia, where it has developed a loyal following thanks to its unique positioning around wellness.
<cite>Richard Crawford, senior director development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image1_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The General Post Office precinct. Image: Charter Hall"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="892" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_12.jpg?itok=gPgY3_7X" title="The General Post Office precinct. Image: Charter Hall" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The General Post Office precinct. Image: Charter Hall</figcaption></figure>Westin is not the first major signing for the wider General Post Office precinct.

BHP announced during April that it would relocate its Adelaide operations to a new $250 million office complex adjacent to the Westin site. Backed by Charter Hall, the GPO Exchange Building is another key plank in the development of the General Post Office precinct.

The mining company is slated to take 10,000 square metres, taking the tower's committed Net Lettable Area to beyond 90%. Contractor Built has the office tower's jump form above ground owing to its abbreviated delivery window, whilst the Westin hotel's 2022 targeted completion leaves it with additional breathing room in terms of a construction start.
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