Landmark Sydney Hotel to Undergo $60m Transformation

A Sydney hotel that has been witness to moments in the nation’s history, including several changes of government, is to undergo a $60-million transformation.

The substantial plans for the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth scheduled to begin next month and complete in spring, 2024 include an extensive refurbishment “to enhance the hotel’s offering for its guests” while retaining its distinctive heritage.

Led by architecture and interior design firm Fender Katsalidis, the refurbishment of the heritage-listed property includes a comprehensive redesign of all guest rooms and suites, corridors, club lounge and lobby areas. 

A new dining precinct, including restaurants and bars, is also part of the plans. 

The hotel was acquired by a fund managed by global investment firm KKR in strategic partnership with Futuro Capital and Marprop Real Estate Investors in 2021.

▲ The plans include the redesign of all guest rooms and suites, corridors, club lounge and lobby areas.

With a history spanning more than half a century, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in the city’s financial district has been a feature of Sydney’s urban landscape since its opened as the Wentworth Hotel in December, 1966.

It was Sydney’s first 5-star international hotel and encapsulated the essence of 1960s jet-set glamour.

The hotel was designed by associate architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Laurie & Heath in the post-war international style.

Originally owned and operated by Qantas, the hotel was operated by Sheraton from 1982, Rydges from 1995, and has been operated by Sofitel since 2004.

The hotel rises from 58.8m to 63.4m and has 20 floors.

According to records, on its opening, the hotel was promoted as “Australia’s first self-contained convention and entertainment centre” and had 448 rooms and 38 suites.

▲ Images from the Sydney hotel’s rich past.

It had 12 bars and restaurants including the Harbour Bar, Coral Reef Bar, Ayers Rock Grill, Flight Bar, and Old Sydney Bar and Tavern, as well as the Grand Ballroom seating up to 1200 persons.

The opening room rates were $9.50 (single) and $13.50 (double) a night. The first year of hotel operation resulted in a loss of $167,950 for Qantas Wentworth Holdings.

Famous people and events the hotel has hosted include in October 1969 the Apollo 11 astronauts—Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins—during their Moon landing world tour, and in December, 1970, Pope Paul VI during the first papal visit to Australia.

The hotel hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for Royal visit state receptions in 1973, 1980, and 1986; and on March 28, 1983, the hotel ballroom hosted the Benevolent Society ball attended by Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, during their Royal tour of Australia.

Other visitors have included Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Bill Gates, actors Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren, and political leaders Margaret Thatcher [UK], George H.W. Bush [US], Vladimir Putin [Russia] and Hu Jintao [China].

The hotel is also known as a regular host of state and federal election night events for the Liberal Party of Australia, including the 1993, 1996, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections.