HotelsHarrison CaithnessWed 02 Sep 26
Addenbrooke Plots 22-Storey Hotel atop Darling Harbour Heritage Pub
Plans for a 22-storey tower to top the Federation-era Shelbourne Hotel at Darling Harbour in the Sydney CBD are moving ahead.
Developer Addenbrooke in partnership with leaseholder Towncorp would retain the 1902-built heritage-listed hotel’s facade at 200-202 Sussex Street below the proposed 80m-high, 140-key hotel under the proposal.
The existing four-storey hotel—reconstructed inside from 1999 to 2000—would be refurbished again to make space for the tower’s lobby.
The site is just 300sq m and the development would have a floor space ratio of 13.9:1.
Bates Smart has designed a dark red tower with arch-framed windows to match the existing hotel’s facade for the scheme.
The tower and refurbishment is expected to cost about $55 million.
No new car parking facilities have been proposed, but there are three paid car parks within 100m of the site including Wilson Parking across Sussex Street, according to documents.
Towncorp, which has operated the Shelbourne Hotel since 2000, would continue in that role while the tower would be managed in-partnership with Addenbrooke or by an external operator.
In 2021, Towncorp filed a concept application for a residential shoptop with retail tenancies for the hotel in 2021.
Those plans were withdrawn after issuing the secretary’s environmental assessment requirements.
Addenbrooke director Toby O’Neil said multiple options were considered for the site after 2021, including residential, commercial and build-to-rent.
“Given the site’s ... gateway location and unique character, the joint venture ultimately determined that the most appropriate outcome was to restore and reposition the property as a hotel,” O’Neil said.
The pub, restaurant and function centres at the tower’s heritage levels would have a capacity of 950 people.
There would be rooms for 280 guests across 15 floors of the tower while its rooftop bar would cater for up to 150 people.
Rooms on the tower’s west side would look towards Pyrmont Bridge to Darling Harbour.
O’Neil said the proposal supported the state government’s plan to build 40,400 accommodation rooms as set out in its Visitor Economy Strategy 2035.
Addenbrooke completed an A-grade office block redevelopment of the 1887-built heritage-listed Merchant House less than 400m north of the Shelbourne Hotel in 2024.
Led by GPT, a 43-storey mixed-use tower and garden was greenlit last year for Cockle Bay Wharf, a stone’s throw from the hotel across the Pyrmont Bridge.
Addenbrooke is no stranger to the waterside, having built six marinas in and around Sydney and the Central Coast.
