After three decades in operation, InterContinental Sydney is reaffirming its position as Sydney’s leading luxury hotel destination with a large-scale transformation. First opened in 1985, the iconic hotel, set in Sydney’s restored Treasury Building of 1851, has been undergoing extensive $110 million renovations since 2020 and will unveil its new product to the public from September this year.

Thoughtfully respecting and celebrating the heritage-listed building and its deep-rooted stories, local architecture studio Woods Bagot has redesigned the iconic hotel with the sophisticated and worldly guest in mind.

External restoration work will enhance elements of the façade, whilst the internal upgrade incorporates all 509 guest rooms and suites, plus public areas, which will include the introduction of two new vibrant bar experiences.

“We are thrilled to finally share more on what’s been happening behind closed doors these past two years,” said Jennifer Brown, General Manager of InterContinental Sydney. “The reimagination of Sydney’s most iconic heritage hotel redefines the contemporary luxury hotel experience whilst paying homage to the building’s rich past and its many unique stories. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the hotel. Together with our owners, Mulpha, we are proud to have elevated this very special place.”

Mulpha Australia CEO, Greg Shaw, said; “Our investment in InterContinental Sydney will ensure this iconic hotel continues to receive the recognition and celebration it deserves. Together with the works underway at Circular Quay and the launch of the dynamic Quay Quarter precinct, we’re excited to be part of the visionary new neighbourhood establishing itself at this end of the city, providing a local and international drawcard for generations to come.”

InterContinental Sydney’s new design is a contemporary interpretation of the building’s historical significance and evolution, as well as its prestigious location on the doorstep of Sydney Royal Botanic Garden and Circular Quay. The building’s existing materiality is being maintained whilst innovative touches, new fine food and beverage experiences and an updated colour palette will breathe new life into the classical architecture.

Of the new design, Tracey Wiles, Woods Bagot’s Regional Interior Design Leader said; “An extremely meticulous design process was required to ensure the heritage buildings have been honoured and the new adaptions respectfully integrated. The redesign celebrates the beauty of the original architecture, whilst respectfully adapting areas to create a new reception, rooms, bars and restaurants. We celebrate the building’s historic past, elevating the luxury of InterContinental Sydney and providing a welcoming retreat in the heart of the city.”

The hotel’s generously sized guest rooms are inspired by the property’s surrounding landscape. Drawing green and blue hues from the adjacent gardens and harbour through picture-frame windows, the redesign creates a connection and uninterrupted flow from indoor to outdoor. The quintessential Australian elements of water, sand, wood and sky, have also been incorporated, adding transparency, texture and tonal warmth and creating a homely and relaxing environment for guests to retreat.

At the heart of the hotel, a new lobby bar will become a revered central location for visitors delivering an immersive experience that engenders memories of the outdoor space of the past, whilst still enclosed in the original brick walls of the Treasury Building. Here, guests will be presented a bold Australian palette and creative beverage concepts taking them from day to night.

InterContinental Sydney’s coveted rooftop space on Level 32 will also transform as part of the extensive renovation. A signature bar with a reimagined outdoor terrace will welcome uninterrupted spectacular views across Sydney’s skyline and arguably the best view in Sydney; available for the first time to Sydney locals and public guests.

InterContinental Sydney continues to be a premium business and events destination, offering a broad range of distinctive spaces in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Fourteen flexible meeting and event spaces are complemented by revamped food and fine beverage experiences, refurbished rooms and suites and an on-site event and audio-visual specialist team. The hotel is equipped to host all scale of events from business meetings and intimate gatherings through to large conferences, brand launches and celebrations. The reimagined hotel product will also see introduction of a new flexible private dining area exuding sophistication and elegance.

The hotel has remained open to guests throughout the renovation with limited access to public spaces whilst undergoing its redesign.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the largest luxury hotel brand in the world with more than 207 InterContinental hotels open worldwide, and has been pioneering luxury travel in new and established destinations for more than 75 years.

For more information or reservations please visit www.sydney.intercontinental.com or @intercontinentalsydney on social media.

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Media Contacts
Rachel Jones - rachel@thisishelm.com.au / +61 (0) 422 085 502 

Natalie Brown - natalie@thisishelm.com.au  / +61 (0) 422 565 001

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand makes travel alluring, with insights from 75 years of experience. Each of our properties provides a gateway to the glamour of the InterContinental Life. As a brand, we aim to embody global sophistication through our superior, understated service and exceptional amenities. What makes us truly different is the genuine interest we show our guests through personalised and attentive services. We offer our most valued guests signature VIP services through a dedicated InterContinental Ambassador programme and an exclusive Club InterContinental experience. We connect our well-travelled guests to what’s special about a destination, so they enjoy authentic local experiences that will enrich their lives. For more information and to book, visit www.intercontinental.com, and connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/intercontinental and Instagram www.instagram.com/intercontinental.

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,800 in the development pipeline.

• Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 325,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About Mulpha

Mulpha Group (‘Mulpha’) has over 30 years investment experience in Australia, with a team of over 65 professionals committed to long-term value creation. The Group has an extensive portfolio of real estate, property development, hospitality, education, retirement, private equity and debt assets, and also invests in some of the fastest-growing and most vibrant economies in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and the UK.

In Australia, Mulpha’s investment portfolio includes the world renowned, resort-styled Sanctuary Cove, an integrated resort on the Gold Coast, Norwest Business and Residential Park in Sydney, flagship InterContinental Hotels in Sydney, Sanctuary Cove and Hayman Island, Bimbadgen in the Hunter Valley and The Hotel School in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hayman Island.  In New Zealand, Mulpha is the owner of Nesuto Stadium Hotel Auckland and is the developer of the award-winning Leisure Farm in Iskandar Malaysia. In the United Kingdom, Mulpha has a strategic investment in the London Marriott Grosvenor Square, a landmark hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair district, while the Group asset manages a portfolio of hotels including Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns and Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg. More: mulpha.com.au