Sydney's Darling picks up global hotel award and local builders honours

The Darling hotel in Sydney has won top honours at the New South Wales chapter of the Master Builder Awards as well as winning an international award for Best New Hotel Design and Construction.

The hotel designed by Cox Richardson Architects and developed by Brookfield Multiplex with interiors by DBI Design and Laurence Lee, won the Hospitality Building $80 million and over category.

The project was secured through a Department of Planning managed architectural competition process.

It is a 5 star hotel at The Star entertainment and casino complex, comprising 12 floors in total with 114 guest rooms, 35 junior suites and eight executive suites. Levels 11 and 12 feature an exclusive VIP reception lobby, nine junior suites and five 'Super Suites' as well as four private gaming areas.

The Darling is the only 5 Star hotel to be constructed in Sydney in over 10 years and features a slim tower with glazed facades over a sandstone podium and entrance. The hotel has an infinity pool and a 16-room day spa.

“The construction team went to extensive lengths to ensure the hotel was built to the highest standard using the finest materials and state-of-the-art finishes. The results speak for themselves,” said Regional Managing Director NSW at Brookfield Multiple, David Ghannoum.

He added: “Winning this award demonstrates our ability to design and construct premier, world-class hotels and entertainment precincts that reinvigorate the surrounding environment,” said Ghannoum.

Some of the key challenges Brookfield Multiplex experienced throughout the project included the need to build around the fully operational casino and changes to the concept once construction work was underway.