Randwick Racecourse New Hotel Approved Trackside
A 170-ROOM hotel and entertainment facility at Royal Randwick racecourse with sweeping views down the famous home straight has been given the green light.
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) is poised to become the nation’s first metropolitan racing club to develop a hotel on the edge of its track — following in the footsteps of Dubai’s Meydan racecourse — after government-appointed planning commissioners gave approval.
The
eight-storey development would feature
conference facilities, an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant, 50 underground car parks and a trackside bar and terrace.
It would be serviced by the new
light rail system linking the CBD to Randwick when completed in 2019.
The ATC has contracted hotelier Adina to manage the 170 serviced apartments, while Sydney hospitality operator Keystone Group will run the restaurant and bars.
ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said the club will spend the next year finalising a financing model and consulting with Royal Randwick trustees, Racing NSW and the racing minister.
“The approval is very exciting news as we now have the opportunity to create a unique facility, both for racing enthusiasts and the local community,’’ he said.
“Imagine sitting on your balcony, ordering room service and watching early-morning track work on a beautiful Sydney day.’’
Mr Pearce said the ATC believed the hotel would also be patronised by people visiting family at the nearby
University of NSW or at one of Randwick’s hospitals.
He planned for the facility to be open by 2019, after the ATC focused on paying down debt by another $17 million this year.
Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive Chris Johnson said the development would be a “great boost” to the area.
The ATC lodged its development application in 2012 but it was delayed to ensure it was integrated with the new light rail system. The Planning Assessment Commission informed Planning Minister Pru Goward’s department on Friday that the application had been judged to be “reasonable”.
Randwick City Council, the Heritage Council of NSW and the NSW Department of Trade and Investment supported the ATC’s bid.