Turf Club Punts on Trackside Hotel at Royal Randwick

The Australian Turf Club is hedging its bets, planning a 190-key hotel and function centre next to the Royal Randwick course. 

The $94-million proposal included a seven-storey hotel, “jockey club” and gaming area, pool, gym, restaurant and bar at the course in Sydney’s east.

Racing at the Royal Randwick began in 1833 and by 2019, the club attracted 5 million tourists to the area annually generating $235 million for the state economy. 

Previous plans for an eight-storey building with 170 serviced apartments were approved in 2014.

However, the club wanted to change them to create a “boutique offering” and enlisted MostynCopper to manage the project.

The new project designed by WMK Architecture will “enhance the racing experience” accordinng to the documents.

“The new hotel will be an exciting addition to the raceday experience for spectators and the community,” the Australian Turf Club said.

“The inclusion of the jockey club and other spectator-friendly facilities will enhance the racing experience for all. 

“The hotel showcases sweeping views of the racetrack including the iconic Royal Randwick home straight.”

▲ A render of the hotel designed by WMK Architecture.

NSW Department of Planning and Environment Executive director Anthea Sargeant said plans for the new entertainment hub were on exhibition. 

“It’s the next chapter in the evolution of Royal Randwick after the venue recently received NSW Planning approval to host up to 16 night racing events between October and April each year,” Sargeant said.

“The $94-million extension will be able to accommodate 2649 punters, create almost 900 construction and ongoing jobs and inject around $211 million each year into the economy.

“It will offer accommodation next to the track and support the growth of the equine industry by capitalising on the existing precinct, which has been operating for more than 150 years.

“Connecting with Country is at the heart of the project’s design—following consultation with the local Indigenous community, a whale totem artwork and shellwork created by First Nations women and girls from La Perouse will be part of the facility.”

The proposal is the latest in a string of plans by turf clubs for racecourses around Australia as they reposition for a changed environment, where on-course attendances have declined.

In April, plans were filed for a five-storey aged-care facility in a residential and retirement development precinct fronting Brisbane’s Doomben racecourse.

The proposal is by Opal Health Care, one of the country’s largest aged-care providers. To be known as the Ascot Grove Care Community, it comprises a 154-bed facility earmarked for a 4600sq m site at 52 Hampden Street, Ascot.

And in March, plans were revealed for a $350-million masterplan at  Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide.

The South Australian Jockey Club plans to redevelop 7.5ha of rezoned land between the racetrack’s home turn and Anzac Highway with 150 apartments in mixed-use blocks as well as 250 townhouses in the plans. 

A supermarket, shops and hospitality outlets, as well as a club-owned tavern and office, are also part of the plans to be delivered in partnership with developers Villawood and superannuation fund Hostplus.