Crystalbrook Collection has broken ground on its AU$120 million luxury hotel development on Adelaide’s Halifax Street, marking a milestone for the company as it prepares to enter one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

The five-star Crystalbrook Sam, which will span 13 levels, will feature 206 guest rooms and suites, state-of-the-art meetings and events space, a grand lobby with communal spaces, and a rooftop Eléme bathhouse and day spa with views of the Adelaide Hills.

Premier for South Australia, The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, who joined Crystalbrook Collection CEO Geoff York and Samaras Group’s CEO, Chris Samaras, and Director, George I. Samaras, for the official ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday morning, welcomed the development and its contribution to the growth of Adelaide’s AU$10.2 billion visitor economy.

“On so many independent measures, we are the number one performing economy in the nation, and this project will drive significant further growth in our tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.

“The Crystalbrook Sam project will create over 100 new jobs during the construction period, and an estimated 120 new jobs once the hotel is operational.”

Slated for completion in 2026, Crystalbrook Sam will be home to a food and beverage venue on level 12, a pool and fitness centre facilities.

“Along with our partners at Samaras Group, we are truly excited to officially celebrate the commencement of construction on Crystalbrook Sam this morning,” said Crystalbrook Collection Chief Executive Officer, Geoff York.

“Adelaide is fast becoming a global destination and one of Australia’s leading tourism markets that offers exceptional food and wine, unrivalled nature experiences and a vibrant art and cultural scene.

“We believe this project will transform the site on Halifax Street and be a catalyst in adding to Adelaide’s growing status as a leading lifestyle destination.”

Samaras Group, a leading South Australian property developer and structural steel fabricator, is recognised for its work on major developments including the Adelaide Convention Centre, Rod Laver Arena, Chadstone Shopping Centre and One Central Park Sydney.

“Today is an important milestone as we commence construction on our first hotel development for the Samaras Group,” said Group Chief Executive Officer, Chris Samaras.

“We have a deep personal connection with Adelaide, our home city, and we are passionate about bringing a world-class, luxury lifestyle development to South Australia.

“Crystalbrook Sam has been purposefully designed to celebrate the spirit of the local area while delivering something new and unseen, that will excite locals and draw visitors to Adelaide.

“George Samaras and I are looking forward to working with Geoff York and the team at Crystalbrook Collection who will operate the hotel under their signature Crystalbrook lifestyle brand.”

With eight hotels – and close to 2,000 hotel rooms – currently in operation across New South Wales and Queensland, and another in development in Canberra, Crystalbrook Collection has invested in excess of AU$1 billion in Australia.