Major Makeover For Sydney Hilton

SYDNEY— The Hilton Sydney, Hilton International’s Australian flagship hotel, is in line for an investment of some US$218.6 million to reposition the property when it re-opens in early 2004. The investment is said to represent the combined cost of acquiring and redeveloping the entire Hilton Sydney and Capital Center complex, which will ultimately consist of a 577-room hotel and convention center, class-A commercial office space, and a LivingWell Health Club. It was noted the landmark city hotel will close this coming Nov. 29 and Leighton Contractors will move onto the site. The 18-month project will involve a basement-to-rooftop remodeling, including the introduction of a new convention and conference center, with facilities to accommodate up to 3,000 delegates and featuring a ballroom that will seat 1,200. The hotel will also feature “Hilton Meetings” for small and medium-sized meetings, offering 23 state-of-the-art meeting rooms with removable walls to allow for plenary sessions and breakouts. Opened in 1975, the Hilton Sydney was reportedly Australias first internationally branded hotel.