Icon Lodges 229-Key Adaptive Reuse Sydney Hotel Designs

Developer Icon Oceania has detailed plans for its new 229-key hotel in Sydney’s CBD.

The site at 499-501 Kent Street was subject to a stage one development application, which was approved in March, 2021 by the Central Sydney Planning Committee. 

Since then, a competitive design process undertaken on behalf of Element Property Sydney was won by SJB Architects.

The site has since been acquired by 499 My Icon Development Pty Ltd, a vehicle of Sydney-based Icon Oceania, developer of the Vibe Darling Harbour Hotel, that lodged the current application.

According to media reports, the site was sold by Saatvic Holdings for $50 million in 2018.

A heritage impact statement undertaken by NBRS highlights the site’s historic past, having been home to various grocery businesses from the mid-1850s. 

However, the current building was constructed for film studio Universal Pictures in 1933, which occupied the three upper floors, acting as an Art Deco-style warehouse for the Sydney film industry. 

The proposal seeks to adaptively reuse the building, and build a 25-storey development with two levels of basement parking to “revitalise the site and deliver a new hotel consistent with the City’s vision to strengthen the role of Central Sydney as an international tourism destination”.

It will retain the heritage conservation elements, restore the original facade facing Kent Street and Druitt Lane, and carry out maintenance of some internal columns of the existing heritage-listed building. 

It will be called the Universal Hotel in a nod to its heritage.

The ground floors will consist of a restaurant, hotel, gym and kitchen, with a concierge, bar and courtyard at the ground level. 

When complete, it will also have a rooftop infinity pool and a bar.

According to Icon Oceania, which is teaming up with Icon Developments, plans also include spacious heritage suites and an ‘Australian first’ glass floored “Vertigo Suite”.

The site to the south of the CBD, between Town Hall to the east and Darling Harbour to the west.

Kent Street has attracted big-name developers and ownership changes in recent years, including 333 Kent Street changing hands, while Gurner also acquired 139 Kent Street for $200 million earlier this year for a two-tower, $800-million project.