The Star Unveils Shortlisted Architects For Sydney's Ritz-Carlton

Following its announcement of a design excellence competition for a hotel and residential tower, Sydney’s premier entertainment destination The Star has announced a shortlist with three leading architectural firms, all with local and international credentials - BVN, Grimshaw and Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) - who will compete to create the design for the Hotel and residential tower.

The Star Entertainment Group has engaged Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium to partner in the development, pending all necessary approvals for the project. The world-renowned The Ritz-Carlton is set to operate the hotel upon its completion.
Design Aim

The aim is to deliver an architectural masterpiece within The Star’s existing footprint. Three leading firms will be invited to create the design for the new tower. The community will be invited to comment on each of the designs as part of the competition process. The preferred architect will also be asked to factor in community views before returning with a final design.

Indicative location of proposed The Ritz-Carlton hotel site.

The location and scale of the proposed development has been developed in response to existing site constraints, the requirement to limit environmental impacts and a commercial brief to deliver a hotel as part of an integrated resort to an International Standard.  Through the consideration of design alternatives, the key outcome from the process is to achieve the best design solution for the proposal.

Star Entertainment Group CEO and Managing Director Matt Bekier said the process aims to be transparent while considering community values.

"We want to be transparent, we want to be inclusive, and we want to listen to the views of the community. It is a significant element of this process," Mr Bekier said.

Design excellence is a key principle guiding the development of the project, with the aims to achieve the highest standard of build; encourage innovation and best practice approaches; encourage a high quality build that contributes positively to the overall architectural quality of the city; provide buildings appropriate to their context; and achieve environmentally sustainable outcomes.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong KongA competitive design process has been convened, including community stakeholders in the design process, ensuring an inclusive approach to design, with a preferred scheme to be decided by a Design Review Panel.

Peter Poulet was appointed as NSW Government Architect & Executive Director in January 2012.Prior to his current appointment, Peter was the inaugural State Architect of Tasmania and has held various role in both government and private practice in Australia and Japan.

Header image: The Darling, located on the edge of Sydney Harbour, achieved as one of the first hotels in the world the global mark of excellence in luxury hotels, The International Five Star Hotel Standard.