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Following the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s final building approval, Mulpha has now commenced construction work on the $95million redevelopment of Sydney’s 32-storey, InterContinental Sydney, enabling the most significant improvements to the hotel in over 30 years.

Owner and developer Mulpha Australia has awarded national construction group Built the contract to commence a full refurbishment that will re-position the landmark luxury hotel, dramatically enhancing its public facing amenity while preserving the hotel’s unique heritage including the original façade elements of the NSW Treasury Building dating back to 1851.

The design concept led by New York architectural firm Rockwell Group has been design developed and detailed by local architect Woods Bagot in conjunction with appointed builders Built. Construction is now underway and expected to be completed in early 2022. The Hotel will remain open throughout most of the works.

The internal upgrade will include all 500+ guest rooms and corridors, as well as refurbishment of the ground level including the Macquarie Street entry, receptions, and the inclusion of a new iconic public bar within the heritage central court. There will also be a full refurbishment of the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, level 31 gym and pool, and another new bar within the level 32 Club InterContinental lounge that will be open to the Public.

The external work will include upgrading the iconic entrance on Phillip Street to ensure all-abilities access, roof alterations and expansion of the top-level Club InterContinental lounge, new greenery along the Phillip Street façade, and replacement of the tower’s awnings and windows.

The project, classified as a state significant development (SSD), is expected to employ up to 140 workers at its peak during construction, while generating an additional $10 million in annual economic benefit.  This redevelopment will significantly enhance Sydney’s position as Australia’s premier global city and world-renowned tourist destination, contributing to a competitive visitor economy.

Greg Shaw, CEO of Mulpha Australia said:

“This project is testament to our confidence and commitment in the future of our iconic flagship hotel, and of Sydney’s future as a global tourist and business destination.

“Although international tourism has been doing it tough this year, it will bounce back, and when it does, we believe it will be premier dress circle properties in unique locations such as this, that will be the major beneficiaries.”

The property has operated as InterContinental, the world’s largest luxury hotel brand, since it opened in 1985 and is managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel operators.

Leanne Harwood, Managing Director – Australasia & Japan, IHG, commented:

“InterContinental Sydney is one of Australia’s most loved and iconic hotels, having hosted guests from around the world, including countless dignitaries, celebrities and VIPs, over its rich 35-year history. Anyone who has stood in the hotel’s sun-lit, heritage Cortile or dined on the unmatched views from Australia’s Leading Executive Club Lounge will know just how special the InterContinental Sydney experience is.

“IHG and Mulpha Australia have enjoyed a longstanding partnership that includes this and two other hotels, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove and InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, and we are so excited that Mulpha will deliver a new era of luxury following an extensive upgrade and refurbishment. We have no doubt that InterContinental Sydney will continue to define itself as one of Sydney’s most treasured luxury hotels.”

Brett Mason, Managing Director of Built said:

“We’re excited to partner with Mulpha and IHG on this iconic Sydney hotel.  We will be bringing our extensive heritage refurbishment and luxury hotel experience to this project.  This includes the QVB, Gowings and State Theatre, Anzac Memorial and most recently the complex heritage redevelopment of the neighbouring Department of Education Building on Bridge Street.

“This is a complex and challenging project, and we have worked closely with Mulpha and their design team over the past year to plan the construction in detail to maintain a high standard of guest comfort and amenity during works.”

Tracey Wiles, Principal and Regional Interior Design Leader, Woods Bagot said the design takes great care in maintaining the architectural lineage of the collective buildings that form the hotel by overlaying their historical character with a contemporary interpretation of materials and detail.

Mulpha is Malaysia’s largest real estate investor and developer in Australia.  Assets in Australia include the world-renowned Sanctuary Cove resort, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, and Norwest Business Park.

Mulpha is committed to long-term value creation with its focus on high-end property development and investment, retirement, healthcare, infrastructure, and civil construction.  It invests in the some of the fastest growing and most vibrant economies in the world.

https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-australasias-leading-executive-club-lounge-2018