Canberra, Australia - 20 January 2026: Crystalbrook Collection - one of Australia's leading sustainably and personality-led luxury hospitality companies - alongside Canberra-based developer TP Dynamics, has marked a major construction milestone for Crystalbrook Aurora, with the 10-storey luxury hotel officially topping out at Garema Place in the heart of the nation's capital.

Set to open in early 2027, Crystalbrook Aurora is now moving into its next phase of delivery, following groundwork laid in May last year. The project will move from major structural works into façade installation and detailed interior fit-out, led by multi-disciplinary design practice FK in collaboration with the TP Dynamics construction team.

Located on Bunda Street on Garema Place, Crystalbrook Aurora has been designed as a contemporary expression of the city's architectural heritage and its founding vision of integrating nature with the built environment. The hotel will feature 225 rooms, including 11 suites, alongside elevated dining, immersive wellness facilities and premium conferencing and event spaces designed to serve both visitors and the local community.

Crystalbrook Aurora has also confirmed a local dining partner, welcoming acclaimed Canberra Japanese restaurant Raku as a flagship tenant within the development. The new 300-seat Raku venue will be three times the size of its current Canberra Centre location and deliver a multi-sensory dining experience, featuring an extra-long sushi bar, a dedicated tasting bar, a stylish main bar and four private dining rooms.

In addition to Raku's ground floor and basement tenancy, Crystalbrook Aurora will operate its own Level 10 rooftop dining venue, offering panoramic views across the city and further cementing the hotel as a new destination for dining and entertainment in Canberra.

The hotel will also feature a comprehensive wellness precinct, including Crystalbrook's signature Eléme Day Spa, a plunge pool, swimming pool, sauna and fully equipped gym. Five dedicated conferencing and event spaces - including a venue capable of hosting up to 300 guests - will position Crystalbrook Aurora as a premium hub for business events, celebrations and cultural gatherings in the capital.

To mark the topping-out milestone, ACT's Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Trade Andrew Barr MLA joined project partners for a ceremonial tree placement on the structure's rooftop, a long-standing construction tradition. The gesture paid homage to the project's design inspiration drawn from Canberra's history, particularly the legacy of Marion Mahony Griffin - one of the world's earliest licensed female architects - who, alongside her husband and creative partner Walter Burley Griffin, helped shape the capital's enduring relationship between landscape and built form.

Geoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection, said the milestone marks an important moment for the brand's entry into the ACT: “Topping out is always significant, particularly as we enter a new city for the first time. The ceremonial tree placing reflects the nature-led inspiration behind Crystalbrook Aurora's design, as well as our broader ethos of responsible luxury. We're proud of the project's progress and look forward to opening a hotel that contributes meaningfully to Canberra's hospitality and cultural landscape in early 2027.”

Tony Pan, Founder and Managing Director of TP Dynamics, added the milestone reflects the collective effort behind the locally led development: “From breaking ground in 2024 to reaching this point today, Crystalbrook Aurora has been an incredibly proud journey for our team. This project is more than a hotel - it's a long-term investment in Canberra's future, delivered alongside local businesses, contractors and trades who share our passion for the city.”

For Ghassan Aboud, Founder of Crystalbrook Collection, the project underscores the group's long-term commitment to growth: “Crystalbrook Aurora reflects our continued focus on investing in culturally significant locations and delivering hotels that are both distinctive and sustainable. Canberra is an important market for us, and this milestone brings us closer to realising a property that reflects the future of responsible luxury in Australia.”

Raku Owner and Executive Chef Hao Chen commented that the new venue represents a natural next chapter for the restaurant: “This move is about growth - not just for Raku, but for what Canberra dining can become. Crystalbrook Aurora gives us the opportunity to expand the experience while staying true to the spirit and craftsmanship that has defined Raku from the start.”

Crystalbrook Aurora is set to open in early 2027, with further details to be announced as development continues. For more information and to stay up to date on further developments, visit:  www.crystalbrookcollection.com/canberra

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For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

Hailee Amalfi

We Are Different

hailee.a@wearedifferentpr.com.au

0435 864 722

About Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts

Crystalbrook is one of Australia's leading sustainably considered and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook's portfolio includes:

• Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Albion, Sydney, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Bailey, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Sam, Adelaide, South Australia (opening 2026)
• Crystalbrook Aurora, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (opening 2027)
• Affiliate hotel: Sydney Harbour Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales

The Group also owns and operates a collection of sixteen restaurants and bars, three Eleme Day spas, and Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas.

Responsible Luxury

Responsible Luxury and sustainability are at the forefront of the way Crystalbrook thinks and operates. At a glance:

• Operating a single use plastic free environment. No plastic straws, water bottles or single use bathroom amenity bottles (in the past two years the Group has saved over four million plastic bottles from entering landfill)
• Use of technology, such as in-room iPads and mobile check-in to create paperless environments and experiences
• Use of recycled and upcycled materials. Examples include key cards made from recycled wood, coat hangers made from recycled paper and toothbrushes made from sugarcane and corn starch.
• Working towards a target of sourcing 80% of fresh produce from within a three-hour drive of each hotel

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Holding

Crystalbrook Collection is the luxury hospitality arm of Ghassan Aboud Holding. Founded in 1994 by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud, Ghassan Aboud Holding is a diversified global conglomerate with a strong presence across key sectors including automotive, retail, FMCG, hospitality, logistics, healthcare, facilities management, catering, and digital marketplaces. Guided by its mission of “Building a better future, together” the group has, for over three decades, remained committed to innovation, excellence, and creating value-driven experiences for customers and partners. Headquartered in the UAE, with offices in Australia and Belgium, Ghassan Aboud Holding is well-positioned to serve diverse markets with agility and impact.