America’s funky lifestyle brand Ace Hotel is heading to Sydney as part of a redevelopment of a CBD block in hip neighbourhood Surry Hills.

Set to feature at 49-53 Wentworth Avenue, the 18-storey hotel is set to open in 2021 and will be built around the historic heritage-listed Tyne House warehouse. The expansion to Australia is the first into the southern hemisphere for the US hotel brand and will be the furthest from its homeland after the brand debuts in Asia-Pacific in Kyoto, Japan in Spring 2020.

The AUD$350 million development will feature 264 rooms and is the first commercial hotel development for Golden Age. The company purchased the site last year from Sydney developer Michael Teplitsky and saw its development application approved for a hotel last December.

An artist’s impression of Ace Hotel Sydney and (top) the brilliant bar at Ace Hotel New Orleans

Guest facilities will include restaurants and bars on both the ground floor and rooftop along with a variety of spaces for conferences and events. A fitness centre will also be offered to guests.

Ace Hotels has gradually grown from its California roots to expand to New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle and several other US cities. International forays has seen the concept arrive in London and Japan.

“We’re excited to partner with Golden Age, whose vision and sense of collaboration is in kinship with Ace, to build a central gathering place for locals and travellers alike,” said Ace Hotel Group Partner and Chief Brand Officer, Kelly Sawdon.