Construction begins on Western Sydney’s first 5-star hotel

Construction has commenced on the new $65 million five-star Sofitel at Sydney Olympic Park following the official ground-breaking ceremony for the hotel by the acting Premier of NSW and Minister for Transport, Hon. John Watkins.

The Accor managed five-star Sofitel is located on Olympic Boulevard opposite the existing Novotel and Ibis hotels, which are also managed by Accor and the two developments will be linked by a two-storey common underground car park, which will bridge Herb Elliott Avenue.

The 20 storey Sofitel will offer 212 deluxe rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, bar and conference facilities and is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2008.

Sofitel is the deluxe brand of the Accor group and there are 200 Sofitel hotels worldwide in major cities including London, Paris, New York, Washington, Tokyo and Bangkok. In Australia there are currently seven Sofitels including the renowned Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, Sofitel Melbourne and Sofitel Brisbane.

In addition, a $19 million two-star Formule 1 hotel due for completion in the first quarter of 2008, will also be built at the Olympic precinct.

The new Sofitel and Formule 1 hotels will bring the total number of hotel rooms at Sydney Olympic Park to approximately 700.

David Baffsky, Chairman Accor Asia Pacific said, “There are very few new hotels being built anywhere in Sydney, and the construction of Sofitel Sydney Olympic Park reflects the strength and maturity of western Sydney’s business and events sector”.

He added, “Our Novotel and Ibis developments in the precinct have consistently outperformed many city centre hotels and show there is high demand for quality accommodation in this rapidly growing urban centre”.  “Having been instrumental in the original development of the Olympic site, I am delighted that Accor is now taking a lead role in the growth of the precinct as one of the state’s most important business, conference and leisure destinations.”

Accor has acquired a 94-year leasehold interest from Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the lease will commence upon completion of the building, with the deluxe Sofitel hotel being part of the vision of to create a thriving economic centre at the Olympic precinct by the year 2025.

Chief Executive for SOPA, Brian Newman, said the new hotel forms part of an ongoing agreement between the Authority and Australia’s largest hotel group, Accor, adding “The exceptional performance of the Accor Group’s Novotel (4 star) and Ibis (3 star) hotels confirms the strength of Sydney Olympic Park’s business and leisure markets, and the need to establish additional accommodation facilities.”

The announcement of the new Sofitel follows several recent developments at Sydney Olympic Park, which have seen more than $159m in new investment. This includes a new state-of-the-art building for the NSW Institute of Sport, plans for an education precinct, the creation of a new regional parkland – Blaxland Common Riverside Park – and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s relocation of 5000 staff to the Park by 2009.

For more information about development at Sydney Olympic Park visit www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/developing

Report by The Mole