Hyatt’s Andaz brand set for Sydney debut

by James Wilkinson

Hyatt’s contemporary lifestyle Andaz Hotels brand is expected to debut in Australia by 2022 as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of Bligh House in the Sydney CBD.

According to documents tendered to the Department of Planning and Environment, the project will see the development and design of a 55-storey combined hotel and office complex in place of the current 18-storey building at 4-6 Bligh Street, across the road from the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

Acquired by SC Capital Partners earlier this year, the building will be designed by Woods Bagot, which won the contract via a unanimous vote from a six-person jury.

Two addresses will be developed – one for the hotel and a second for commercial operations. The building is set to be integrated with adjacent buildings and will feature a number of retail outlets, restaurants and cafes.

Developers say the building will be the first hotel to achieve a WELL Building Standard – a certification based on the end user’s comfort level recognised by the City of Sydney’s Central Sydney Planning Strategy.

“The building will be instantly recognisable from every angle, as the tower changes form and emphasis in response to context, orientation and internal function,” said Woods Bagot Principal and Sydney Studio Design Leader, Ian Lomas.

Once complete, the tower will stand 226 metres tall, with retail to comprise the first three levels as well as separate entries for hotel guests and commercial occupants. The next nine levels will feature lifestyle facilities for both hotel guests and business occupants including an indoor swimming pool, wellness centre, childcare services. At the summit will be co-working spaces, a rooftop restaurant, bar and garden, with 38 floors of hotel rooms and suites in between.

While Hyatt Hotels Corporation could not confirm the new Andaz project, a spokesperson exclusively told Wayfarer and sister magazine HM the company was “focused on working with the right partners to deliver distinctive experiences for our guests, and are actively pursuing suitable opportunities in the right destinations as we expand our portfolio in Australia”.

“Hyatt has a distinct and differentiated strategy where each of our brands is positioned at the high end of every segment in which we operate, whether that’s luxury, select service or all inclusive,” the spokesperson said.

“We currently manage seven hotels in Australia under the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place brands, and will be introducing the Hyatt Centric brand in 2020. We will share future updates on our brand expansion once the information is available.”

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