Australia's largest hotel has opened its doors in Sydney's Darling Harbour after a $250 million redevelopment.

Designed by Cox Architecture, Hyatt Regency Sydney has added a new 24-storey tower and 222 premium guestrooms to the former Four Points Sheraton, making it the country's largest five-star hotel, with 892 rooms.

The architecture firm, who is also responsible for the design of The Darling and the original Sydney convention centre, was appointed for the significant project in early 2013, while fellow Australian design firm, Bates Smart was engaged to undertake the interior design for the renovation.

Hyatt Regency design features extensive floor to ceiling glass to maximise natural light and uninterrupted water views of Darling Harbour. Cox Richardson have also added vertical louvres and low-reflection materials to the design. Inside, Bate Smart’s objective was to create hospitality spaces which make the most of the considerable assets of the site, while minimising structural limitations imposed by the existing architecture.

Made up of suites and club facilities, the 222 new rooms will occupy the first 15 floors of the hotel’s new tower, while the remaining floors will be leased as office space. Other offerings at Hyatt Regency include all-day dining, meeting spaces, two ballrooms, a contemporary lobby bar and Regency club lounge. A rooftop bar completes the hotel, and is the CBD's only premium hotel rooftop bar with views of Darling Harbour that is open to the public.

Work commenced in December, 2014 and spanned a two year period. The project generated approximately 2,250 jobs during construction and a further 90 hotel jobs are set to be created now it has reached completion.

Construction saw some 11,500 cubic metres of concrete poured and 635 tonnes of steel installed to create the building’s structure, and over 1,388 glass panels installed to form the hotel’s façade.

Multiplex was responsible for the building’s construction and its safety practices on site at 161 Sussex Street were recognised by the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) in 2015, taking out the coveted Site Award at its National Health & Safety Excellence Awards.

Located at 161 Sussex Street, the hotel sits in a prime position within walking distance of the Barangaroo dining precinct, Pitt Street shopping strip and bars like The Baxter Inn and Lobo Plantation. The hotel will also benefit from future Darling Harbour developments, including the redevelopment of the Harbouside Shopping Centre and a total overhaul of Cockle Bay Wharf.

This article was originally titled 'Australia’s largest hotel opens in Darling Harbour' but has since been updated.

Nicholas Rider

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