James Packer hopes an enormous 90-storey tower will transform the Melbourne skyline if plans go ahead to build the $1.5 billion hotel and apartment building. Pictures of the projected tower, released by Crown Resort Limited, show a diamond-shaped tower illuminating Queensbridge Street in Melbourne’s Southbank area.
The project is set to create up to 4,000 jobs, including 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs during initial construction, Crown said in a statement. Three interlocking sculptural forms are seen within the design of the building, which is more than 300 metres high and is hoped to make a ‘unique addition’ to Melbourne’s casino precinct.
A potentially controversial element in the design will be a 41-metre-long 'sky bridge' across Queensbridge Street, linking the new tower to the existing Crown complex. The bridge could face opposition from Melbourne City Council, according to reports. The design will also provide a public forecourt area with shopping, restaurants, and new amenities for locals and visitors.
The tower is set to have approximately 388 rooms and boast a luxury six-star rating, with 680 apartments available. Publicly accessible restaurant, lounge and garden terrace on the top of the tower will also be available. Crown Resorts Executive Director James Packer said: ‘A new hotel is the next evolution of Crown Melbourne.’ A projection of 2,000 guest rooms and suites will be available on completion.
Designs for the tower were chosen on Monday, with Wilkinson Eyre landing their second job with the Crown conglomerate. ‘It was a very competitive design process, with some of the world’s and region’s best known architects involved,’ said Schiavello Group Chairman Tony Schiavello. Packer added: ‘Wilkinson Eyre have designed a beautiful and elegant building that is destined to be an important addition to Melbourne.’
