Crown Resorts Limited and its joint venture partner, Schiavello Group, announced that they have received conditional planning approval for their proposal to develop the Queensbridge Hotel Tower located in Melbourne’s Southbank, to be known as One Queensbridge.
The development approved today, designed by London-based architectural firm Wilkinson Eyre, will comprise a 388-room, luxury, six-star hotel and approximately 700 apartments in addition to a unique publicly accessible restaurant and lounge located at the top of the tower.
“Melbourne is one of the world’s most liveable cities,” said Todd Nisbet, Crown Resorts Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development. “We truly believe One Queensbridge will add to the liveability and vibrancy of city life in Southbank and become a signature landmark in the Melbourne skyline with international appeal.”
As a condition of the approval, Crown and Schiavello have also agreed to invest up to $100 million in significant tourism and public realm amenities that will benefit the Southbank Precinct and reinforce Crown Melbourne’s position as Australia’s leading integrated resort.
With Crown’s three Southbank hotels at nearly full capacity (over 90 per cent occupancy), the proposed addition of this luxury hotel will also assist Melbourne to meet its future tourist accommodation demands, with Crown being able to offer over 2,000 guest rooms and suites, upon completion.
The proposed new luxury six-star hotel and tower is expected to provide a significant boost to employment, both during construction and once operational. Construction of the tower will generate an estimated 3,000 direct and indirect construction jobs, with opportunities for apprentices to learn new trades and skills over the construction period.
A key component of the design includes a new sculptural pedestrian link that will provide hotel guests with all-weather access from the lobby of the new hotel to the Crown Melbourne integrated resort. The joining of this new development to Crown Melbourne, will link the development with Crown’s world-class luxury facilities.
The project remains subject to financing and long-term agreements between Crown and Schiavello.
