The Star Sydney transformation makes grand entrance

The Star Sydney has unveiled its $65 million transformation of the property’s Pyrmont entrance, with the inclusion of a brand-new bar, luxury retailers and a new arrival experience.

As part of the transformation, the hotel and casino complex has unveiled the world’s first permanent indoor light and interactive digital art foyer in an integrated resort, the ‘Grand Foyer’.

Part light, part water and part digital art gallery, The Grand Foyer has been brought to life by a $22 million transformation, which will offer an interactive arrival experience aimed to excite, engage and entertain an average of 20,000 guests per day. 

“Architecture, contemporary art and technology have converged to form an iconic showpiece that delivers a unique, unexpected and dynamic arrival experience for our guests,” said The Star Sydney chief operating officer Dino Mezzatesta.

“The new Grand Foyer includes a 25-metre-long, 8K resolution crescent shaped screen which will showcase the works of emerging and established Australian artists, university students, cinematographers and animators. The screen content reacts dynamically to the real-world environment and human movement, encouraging guest interaction.            

“Inspiration behind the artworks was drawn from The Star’s proximity to the busy Sydney Harbour shoreline, and the constant ebb and flow of human activity within the Pyrmont area.

“Alongside the digital canvas, is the first sculptural water installation of its design in the Southern Hemisphere, the ‘Aquatique’ artwork of falling water. The integration of Aquatique, LED screens, lasers, lighting and live performances is a world first for an entertainment precinct.” 

The new guest arrival experience has been collaboratively delivered by The Star Entertainment Group and lighting specialists Ramus Illumination, who were responsible for delivering Australia’s largest permanent outdoor projection system at The Star Gold Coast, as well as its porte-cochère lighting installation, also at Broadbeach.

“With The Star Sydney Grand Foyer arrival experience, we wanted to design an experience full of compelling encounters that enrich the journey,” said Bruce Ramus.

“We envisioned a beautiful, unifying space that embraces and welcomes all people, and we believe we’ve achieved this.

“We’ve turned light into an expressive platform in the form of the digital canvas. Through this, light animates to tell the story of the local environment, it is the light, movement and artistic expression of the community that shares the wider story of The Star and Sydney.”

Sheridan Randall, 9^th May 2019