International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has launched a virtual tour of the $1.1 billion venue by Hassell and Populous, providing the industry with a first animated look at the Darling Harbour development.

Released today at Australia’s largest business events trade show, the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME), the presentation blended 3D modelling with live footage for an opportunity to experience the flexibility and connectivity of “Australia’s first fully integrated international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct”.

“The animation allows you to appreciate the scale and superior quality of the rooms, the connectivity provided across the venue, which is essentially three inner-city blocks, and the integration with Darling Harbour’s dynamic business and entertainment precinct,” said ICC Sydney chief executive officer and director of Convention Centres for AEG Ogden, Geoff Donaghy.

“We have been working off plans and renders until now so it is terrific to see ICC Sydney come to life in this way, less than two years out from opening.”

According to ICC Sydney, the three minute movie explores key assets across ICC Sydney’s 70 rooms, including:

  • Grand Ballroom – set to become Australia’s largest ballroom, this room will accommodate 2,000 people in banquet mode and 3,500 in cocktail mode. Equipped with an elite AV experience, the room breaks out to the top floor of the convention centre featuring spectacular views over Sydney Harbour.
  • Event Deck – a 5,000sqm open air, rooftop space connected to the upper halls of the exhibition centre. The deck will host exhibitions, cocktail parties and banquets of up to 1,800 people. The deck also features a permanent bar and lounge that, when not booked for private events, is open to the public.
  • Plenary theatres – ICC Sydney is capable of holding three concurrent, self-sufficient major conventions, each with their own pre-function, meeting and catering facilities within the convention centre.
  • ICC Sydney Theatre – with an 8,000-seat capacity, this ultramodern theatre will host large international conventions as well as touring entertainment acts, enhancing the active precinct by day and night.
  • The Gallery – a 2,400sqm room to host exhibitions and cocktail receptions of up to 2,000 people.
  • Exhibition halls – the venue features a total of 35,000sqm of exhibition space, including The Gallery. Presented in a smart, stacked layout to capitalise on the inner-city location and provide much improved loading facilities. The halls feature customised registration and ticketing areas and 20 dedicated meeting rooms.

On track to open in December 2016, the ICC had to be redesigned after public concerns about the bulk and ‘blandness’ of the original designs were raised. These changes included revisions to the ICC’s façade, which is now divided into three distinct sections – a top, middle and ground level – to “reduce the visual bulk and perceived height” of the building.

However, some readers have maintained that the new vision is still “not bold enough”.

ICC Sydney Virtual tour:

ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre

ICC Sydney Theatre

ICC Sydney Hotel by FJMT