Brookfield Multiplex has completed the first construction milestone at Tabcorp’s $760 million Star City Casino redevelopment.
Located in Pyrmont, Sydney, Star City is being redeveloped into a world-class 3,000 sqm gaming facility that will feature a new Harbour facing entrance as well as a revolutionary floor to roof glass facade providing views of the city skyline and Harbour, a 171 room 5-star hotel, restaurants and extended gaming facilities. The Casino component will be completed next year, with the grand opening of the refurbished Casino in mid-to-late 2011.
The aim is to create a landmark building in Sydney, and to rival Crown Casino in Melbourne.
Brookfield Multiplex was contracted to build the base building and the external façade fronting the Harbour and the 5-star hotel. The building was re-oriented to allow a waterfront outlook and a street level façade was constructed to improve the public domain.
Designed by Fitzpatrick + Partners the façade is made from 147 flags of clear low-iron glass with stainless steel and incorporates operable windows on all levels of the Casino.
The façade runs along the Pirrama Road side and will be open throughout the entire year in the new unenclosed gaming area.
Each operable flag is 2.4 x 2.4 metres and the façade is contoured integrating the Casino with the surrounding streetscape.
Other features include vitreous enamel panels to public domain walls, back lit onyx stone cladding to the main escalator entrance, a street awning made of stainless steel that was manufactured off site in excess of 48 metres long and a roof awning that cantilevers five metres over the façade line and follows the contour.
Sustainable building features have been incorporated to reduce the carbon footprint of the building with rainwater collection treated and used for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation. ESD features are utilised throughout the building and energy efficient lighting systems, including latest LED technologies as well as the solar orientation of the building designed to mitigate the western sun.
It is one of the few private construction projects to proceed in the city area over the past two years.
Brookfield Multiplex joint managing director George Kostas says the project caps off a huge year: “We’ve won over $2.8 billion in work this year and expect to finish 2010 with a workbook value of $5.2 billion.”
“Our New South Wales pipeline is also strong for 2011, with over $700 million of projects scheduled to be completed next year.”
Kostas adds: “We collaborated closely with Tabcorp and provided an alternative, innovative solution for Star City Casino to deliver a building that is iconic and cost effective for the long term.
“We are proud to deliver the fitout of the unenclosed gaming area ahead of schedule, enabling the refurbished Star City to begin trading earlier than expected,” said Mr Kostas.
