The owner of Sydney’s Star Casino has signed development agreements with the Queensland government for its new $3 billion Brisbane casino resort.
The Star Entertainment Group, formerly known as Echo Entertainment, in July beat James Packer’s Crown Resorts’ bid to develop the Queens Wharf site.
The casino operator, with joint Asian venture partners Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, wants its new development to rival top calibre global attractions in the gambling hubs of Macau and Singapore.
Echo managing director and chief executive Matt Bekier announced on Monday that this vision was one step closer after the signing of development agreements with the state government.
“The redevelopment of Queens Wharf Brisbane has the potential to deliver significant and positive change for the people of Brisbane …,” he said.
The project, which includes a premium hotel with 1,100 rooms, a casino, residential apartments, a pedestrian bridge and repurposed Treasury Casino and Hotel buildings, is subject to further planning approvals.
The new Brisbane development will be known as The Star, Brisbane when it opens in 2022.
The Star casino in Sydney will be rebranded to a yet to be announced name in March.
The company’s Gold Coast Jupiters Hotel and Casino will also be renamed The Star, Gold Coast and its Treasury Casino and Hotel in Brisbane will be renamed Treasury by The Star during the second half of next year.
The group will transform the existing Treasury Casino and Hotel buildings into shops and hotel accommodation after the new resort opens.
Construction on the new casino is expected to begin in 2017.
