THE NSW Independent Planning Commission has rejected a proposal from The Star casino’s owners to build a $529 million, 237-metre tower on Sydney’s waterfront, ruling the construction would “reduce the visual amenity of the area”.
The plan included the construction of a new Ritz-Carlton hotel and more than 200 residential units, as well as more than tripling the height of the existing structure at Pyrmont.
In its report, the Commission cited the design as a major factor in their decision, labelling it “overly obtrusive”.
The report also found the skyscraper would have a significant impact on the visual quality of important public spaces, such as Sydney Harbour’s foreshore areas like Union Square and Cockle Bay.
The matter was referred to the commission back in Jul after the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment said permission to build the 237-metre tower should be refused.
A spokesperson for The Star had previously stated that the now-repudiated project would have had “a significant benefit for tourism, the city and for the state of NSW”, with the development viewed as part of The Star’s future strategy to lure tourists away from Crown’s major Barangaroo development due for completion in 2021.
The City of Sydney Council was also against the proposed development, with independent councillor Philip Thalis suggesting the building looked like “a rocket that’s just landed in Pyrmont”.
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Source: traveldaily