One of the world's most anticipated boutique hotels is set to grace Sydney's inner suburbs with the announcement of a $20m heritage adaptation in Frasers' Central Park development.
The international boutique hotel group, Unlisted Collection - headed up by Singaporean lawyer-turned-hotelier Loh Lik Peng - have secured the opportunity to refurbish the two heritage buildings, the former Carlton and United Brewery’s administration building and The Clare Hotel, on the corner of Kensington Street and Broadway in Sydney's inner south.
The Unlisted Collection: Central Park property will consist of 60 rooms, a rooftop bar and swimming pool, two signature restaurants fronting Kensington Street and a dedicated dessert restaurant.
A marquee chef, to be announced in 2013, will also head the food and beverage team.
With a growing portfolio of properties across Asia and the United Kingdom, it will be Group's first foray into the burgeoning Australian boutique hotel market.
Unlisted Collection has retained Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects to design and document the $20 million adaption.
According to a company press release:
"The two heritage buildings will be retained and joined by a contemporary steel and glass building, spanning the existing laneway, making a spectacular naturally lit hotel foyer, with access off both Kensington Street and the new Carlton Road. Heritage features such as timber panelled boardrooms and historic CUB entertaining areas will be retained, with contemporary additions, creating a vibrant and comfortable urban hotel. The unique industrial qualities of the Carlton and United Brewery's heyday will be evidenced throughout the hotel."
Since launching its first boutique hotel, Hotel 1929, in Singapore in 2003, Unlisted Collection: has since expanded to operate six hotels and 11 restaurants in Singapore, London and Shanghai.
Properties include
Wanderlust in Singapore,
Town Hall Hotel and Apartments in London, and
The Waterhouse in Shanghai.
“Unlisted Collection: is a list of properties that are fresh and unconventional and out of the norm. The hotels are set within sensitively restored heritage listed buildings that are re-adapted into radical, cutting edge lifestyle concepts that culminate into an unforgettable experience for our guests,” says Mr Loh.
“The adaptive re-use of these two heritage buildings is the cornerstone of the Kensington Lane restoration. Dining experiences and accommodation of this standard and distinctive character will fill a big gap in Sydney’s southern CBD precinct,” Frasers Property Australia CEO Guy Pahor said.
Construction is expected to commence in mid-2013 with an opening expected in late 2014.
The Unlisted Collection: Central Park hotel will form part of the $2 billion Central Park mixed-use development.