The design of the new International Convention Centre (ICC) Hotel at Sydney's Darling Harbour have been unveiled by Lend Lease as it commences a period of consultation with the community.
Designed by Sydney architect Richard Francis-Jones of Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) in collaboration with the Lend Lease design group, the new hotel is a key component of the 20-hectare redevelopment of Darling Harbour.
David Hutton, Lend Lease Group head of development, described the revitalisation as a "landmark project" for both Sydney and New South Wales with the hotel an integral part.
'In response to community consultation undertaken earlier this year, we have created a more elegant and slimmer hotel design which improves view sharing with surrounding buildings and provides more public space and flexibility at the ground level," he said.
'The new hotel will be a major addition to Sydney's hospitality offering with quality accommodation for international delegates, tourists and business travellers."
The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) described it as a "boon" for the tourism industry, adding up to 650 new rooms to Sydney's current tally.
'As the first major quality hotel in Sydney in over a decade, this will be a significant addition to our tourism offering and will help to generate activity and expenditure in the visitor economy," chief executive Ken Morrison said.
"The entire Darling Harbour development project will inject an estimated $5 billion into the New South Wales economy, providing 3700 jobs during construction and 4000 ongoing jobs."
Lend Lease will now embark on a series of events to consult with the community on the new hotel design.
Pending approvals, the hotel is on track to begin construction in the third quarter of 2014 and open in late 2016 - in line with the ICC.
This article first appeared on our sister publication The Nibbler.
