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Sydney is growing for the future
Sydney’s new convention centre precinct and other infrastructure projects are building a bright future for business events.
Read below for details on the projects and learn how they will enhance the Sydney experience.
'Darling Harbour Live': Sydney’s new international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct
Australia’s largest convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct is on track to be opened in Sydney late 2016. The fully integrated, world-class facility will ensure Sydney remains a leading destination for the world’s brightest minds to meet, celebrate and do business.
The Premier of New South Wales (NSW), The Honourable Barry O’Farrell MP, says, “Along with the development of Barangaroo, this project will transform the western fringe of Sydney’s Central Business District and is the biggest and most exciting change to Darling Harbour in 25 years.”
On 11 December 2012, the Premier announced Destination Sydney, which comprises AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services, as the successful consortium to design, build and operate the precinct, given the working title “Darling Harbour Live”, after a competitive tender process. A striking contemporary design, world-class technology and versatile spaces are key characteristics of the proposed design. The new venue, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will be able to hold consecutive conferences and exhibitions.
“The 'Darling Harbour Live' project spans a 20-hectare site and is a catalyst for the revitalisation of what will become an innovation hub in Sydney,” says Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney.
“This innovation hub in the heart of Sydney will create opportunities to host more international events. The precinct will also be a hive of residential and retail, leisure spaces and more. It will connect our educational, creative and multicultural precincts. Above all, it will have the character, dynamism and energy for which Sydney is renowned.”
Construction of 'Darling Harbour Live' will begin in late 2013, with the existing centre scheduled to close in December 2013. The completed venue is due to be reopened in late 2016. A city-wide interim solution has been developed to house Sydney-based events that are scheduled to take place during the development period. This includes Glebe Island Expo, a purpose-built temporary facility for the exhibition industry. The impetus to find alternative venue solutions has not only revealed the wealth of options available throughout Sydney, but will ensure the city remains ‘open for business’, continuing to attract and deliver outstanding events and exhibitions during the transition to the new facilities.
Initial plans for the convention centre and broader precinct, as well as a video flyover, can be viewed at www.siceep.com or www.darlingharbourlive.com.au
Business Events Sydney is managing the bookings and enquiries for Darling Harbour Live. Please visit www.siceepenquiries.com to contact our team for more information or to book space at this facility.
Have more questions regarding the development? Read our SICEEP FAQs.
Glebe Island Expo
Glebe Island Expo is the interim facility that will house Sydney’s major public exhibitions and trade shows during the development of the new 20-hectare Sydney international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour.
Ensuring Sydney continues to deliver a world-class event experience during the 2014 – 2016 development period, Glebe Island Expo will be operational from December 2013. The facility will offer 25,000 square metres of high quality, fully enclosed and fully serviced exhibition space.
Located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, the facility will be accessible by dedicated shuttle ferry services, which will depart from Darling Harbour, and dedicated shuttle bus services, which will depart from Sydney’s CBD. The frequency of the services will be event driven and cater to demand.
Business Events Sydney is managing the bookings and enquiries for Glebe Island Expo until the operator, Sydney Harbour Expo @Glebe Island, takes over in March 2013. Please visit www.glebeislandexpo.com to contact our team for more information or to book space at this facility.
Gehry design for UTS
Sydney’s Southern Central Business District (CBD) will be home to a new design precinct, complete with a unique "wrinkly and crinkly" architectural icon created by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the mastermind behind the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The building will house the University of Technology, Sydney’s (UTS) new $150 million business school that will be open to event planners to hire rooms for executive education, public talks, executive retreats, events and small conferences from 2014.
The development is opposite the $2 billion Central Park development that will create vibrant precinct for work, play, entertainment, retail and residence.
Royal Randwick
The iconic racecourse at Royal Randwick is undergoing a spectacular $150 million redevelopment that will transform the historic home of Australian racing into a progressive new facility for entertainment, expositions, meetings and events.
Planned for an early 2013 relaunch, the existing stands will be replaced with a state-of-the-art 5 level grandstand comprised of a vast selection of function spaces, including a 1,000 seat ballroom. An adjacent outdoor amphitheatre complex set in a landscaped concourse will accommodate 4,500 people for concerts and live shows under the stars.
The highly anticipated new events venue will be complimented by a 4-star, 170- room hotel with conference facilities and a magnificent pool deck with incomparable views of the track on one side and the parklands and city to the other.
www.royalrandwick.com
The Star
The Star’s $870 million transformation into a total leisure, entertainment and event destination has raised the bar for luxury in Sydney with new premium dining, shopping, entertainment and accommodation combining to create the perfect five-star experience.
The crown jewel of the development, which opened in January 2013, is the new Event Centre. Perched on The Star’s rooftop, the new multi-purpose venue boasts sweeping views over Sydney Harbour that can be admired from the pre-function spaces and a unique colour-morphing shell, which is visible from all corners of the city. With the capacity to hold 3,000 delegates over 2,200, this new event space in the heart of the city offers event planners the utmost flexibility. Equipped with leading edge audio visual technology and production facilities, the Event Centre is one of the few Australian venues that features retractable seating to enable the venue to quickly and easily transform its spaces from a concert into a gala dinner or conference setting.
The centre was designed by Sceno Plus, creators of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, and can host A-list acts from around the globe, domestic and international conferences, gala dinners and exhibitions alike.
Barangaroo
The cranes are moving, excavation is underway and construction on the southern commercial area of Barangaroo has begun. Located on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD, Barangaroo is a 22-hectare former container port that is being transformed into a vital $6 billion extension of the harbour city.
Lauded as one of the most ambitious and significant waterfront greening projects in the world, Barangaroo will include a new iconic landscaped Headland Park, spectacular public waterfront walks and parks, shops, cafes and restaurants, commercial office towers, a new hotel and apartments, all serviced by new and extended transport systems.
With many elements of the precinct still being finalised there is great potential for new venues and attractions to be created to service the business events market.
Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground recently announced a $186 million redevelopment of the historic sporting hotspot that will upgrade and improve facilities.
The Noble, Bradman and Messenger stands will be demolished and replaced by a multi-level grandstand, for now called the Northern Pavilion. It is hoped the works, which will raise the capacity of the ground from 45,758 to almost 48,000, will be completed by the Ashes Test of January 2014. The new design will allow unobstructed viewing for all spectators and covered seating for 85% of crowds.
The redevelopment will also include a grand entry atrium and redeveloped bar areas including a Skyline Terrace – an upper-tier open landscaped area with views of the city – as well as corporate suites, media facilities and a secure player arrival area.
FAQs
Find answers to your questions about the Sydney's new international convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct development.
