Sensational-Adelaide.com

In regard to the casino extension I am pleased to hear positive sounding comments from Skycity (sounds like they want to go ahead asap) but I'm disappointed that at this stage their plans only include more pokies areas, more bars and more restaurants. In other words more of what they already have.

Whilst these things are welcome and are obviously core aspects of any casino, I'd like to see them take ideas from Crown Casino and Jupiters Casino. Why not see if they can cooperate with the hotel next door and build the extension in such a way that the hotel becomes an integral part of the casino (with direct access) and I'd also like to see cinemas and upmarket shops included, and maybe a food court.

I know cinemas in Adelaide CBD have a history of not succeeding in recent times but I really think that was partly because of the type of cinemas they were and where they were located.

Regent Cinemas was certainly central but it was in the middle of a pretty dated and dull arcade (albeit with some historic interest) and the actual cinemas were not very nice inside by modern standards.

Greater Union was only accessed through a horrible open arcade full of graffiti and located off the troubled Hindley Street, and inside it lacked atmosphere and the service was attrocious.

Academy cinemas were quite good in their day, but a little bit off the beaten track and very dated by the end.

I see no reason why a nice, modern, high quality multiplex with 3D capable screens and maybe even an IMAX screen would not succeed as part of the Casino complex.

Of course they'd need to make some areas of the building accessible to children as is the case at the aforementioned 2 interstate casinos, but these would be seperate from the adult only gaming areas so no problem there provided the layout is thought through properly.

With shops, cinemas, a food court and a hotel this could become a world class city centre entertainment venue with something for everyone (including those who have no intention of gambling)! They could even incorporate an interactive exhibition attraction such as Madam Tussauds, Ripleys believe it or not, Doctor who exhibition or similar. Adelaide lacks any family attraction of that type so it would be a major tourist attraction as well as a fantastic family activity for residents of SA.

totally agree 110%

The details of the new casino are being slowly released.

From the Advertiser:

Adelaide Casino $250 million redevelopment to lure high rollers

Russell Emmerson From: The Advertiser May 22, 2011 11:30PM



Artist's impression of the proposed $250 million SkyCity Adelaide Casino redevelopment on the Torrens Riverfront. Image: David Cole of The Buchan Group. Source: Supplied

A REVAMPED Adelaide Casino is likely to boast 50 or more five-star hotel rooms to attract high rollers.

SkyCity's president of international business, Ejaaz Dean, said the $250 million casino redevelopment would include a boutique hotel component to avoid "leakage" of spending by its valued international high rollers.

"We would include private gaming rooms, hotel suites and additional bars and restaurants, and it all has to be five-star - 50 or 60 VIP rooms in a boutique hotel setting is a good start," he said.

"We try to give people a door-to-door service.

"If they fly in from China, Melbourne or Sydney, we meet them at the airport with a limousine and take them straight to their hotel suite and so on. We think there

is an opportunity for Adelaide to really participate in that business."

Mr Dean said the group was now focusing on the revamp of its flagship Auckland Casino with accommodation, entertainment and gambling facilities targeting a VIP influx for this year's Rugby World Cup.

He said the company would then turn its mind to other developments, including the $250 million revamp of the Adelaide Casino, in a bid to lure Asian high rollers to South Australia.

Mr Dean would not disclose the number of international high rollers attracted to Adelaide but expected numbers to grow up to 20 times from "a very low base".

Each spends an average $10,000 on retail and food and beverages with other businesses but is part of an extremely competitive market.

International gamblers pumped $1.1 billion into SkyCity's Auckland, Darwin, Adelaide and Queenstown locations for the first half of this financial year, up 96 per cent on the previous period.

Industry analyst Deutsche Bank predicts the Australasian high roller market will boom to almost $90 billion by 2015 - although the SkyCity Entertainment Group is likely to capture only 4 per cent of that market, it said.

SkyCity is also expected to face a challenge with the introduction of mandatory commitment levels for its pokie business. A recent report by Merrill Lynch analyst Nathan Gee said revenue could fall by $16 million to $31 million, cutting the group's profits by 4.3 per cent.

Just make sure that footbridge is weatherproof - the least one should expect for that kind of $$'s.

Google Sketchup is my friend.

SkyCity's president of international business, Ejaaz Dean, said the $250 million casino redevelopment would include a boutique hotel component to avoid "leakage" of spending by its valued international high rollers.

That is to say, they don't want money going to any other business in the city when they can have it themselves. I struggle to find reasons to like this business.

If they're determined to have a hotel business, they should have bought the Hyatt when they had the chance.

I think PG it is one of those ‘necessary evils’ that places like Adelaide need to rely on especially at the moment.

Whilst yes the venture is insular – the value add it will provide the redevelopment is significant especially given the State doesn’t have the funds to do something themselves (I’m thinking something a touch more touristy like a aquarium or something else equally as expensive ;( )

In the end it is going to provide employment opportunities and bring people into the area whether we like it or not.

It would be great if 20 years down the track we could tell them to get stuffed and we don’t need a subsidised industry like that operating in a cultural area.

It seems unfortunate that in the design there still is little interaction with the Torrens. It looks like Sky City get some nice free real estate between the Festival Centre and the Parliament building. Hopefully the small "pod" out the neat the Torrens actually contains space for some interesting bars/inside gathering areas and not just a "swanky" restaurant.

Hopefully one can partake in the restaurants and cafes without the 'ching ching bzz' of slot machines nearby.

There's also plenty more river frontage that could be activated. Perhaps by the owners of the Hyatt?

Wayno wrote:Hopefully one can partake in the restaurants and cafes without the 'ching ching bzz' of slot machines nearby.

There's also plenty more river frontage that could be activated. Perhaps by the owners of the Hyatt?

Inter-Continental were planning an extension towards the river, no idea if it's still on the cards. Wont really be possible if Skycity has their way

I hope that image above is not how the casino extension will actually look. It appears they are basing the design on that of the festival theatre which is not exactly brilliant!

Marvellous! More casino! More gambling! It does look a bit of a rabbit warren, and the Torrens frontage is still bothersome, but in principle I think it's delightful.

Oh, Omi, I know you're really just looking for another excuse to drown yourself in cocktails on Sunday morning.

I should be more excited than I am, but I'm not, I share the scepticism above (another great big pokie hall? boo). My two cents:

It looks like a really nice upgrade to Festival Plaza and the surrounds of the Theatre with cafes and whatnot. With the pedestrian bridge it will inject some much needed life and activity into the area. Looks like Railway Terrace will get an upgrade too to be made more pedestrian friendly. It really smacks of Federation Square scaled down.

It'd be nice if, on that render, they drew a line between what Skycity is actually paying for and Skycity's hopes and dreams what the state government may or may not actually do. Are they to pay for Festival Plaza or expanding the lake?

I'm still sceptical about the lakefront area. To be honest it looks worse there than it did in the earlier diagram. I'm surprised they haven't lined it with chairs and tables or something like that. I do think this render is deceptive as with the winter sun the area under the building on the lakefront won't be in shade so it might not be as unpleasant as it looks. Hard to tell.

I'm also concerned that the rear entrance to the railway station will be made even more inaccessible, but it's impossible to tell from that image. I hope there is some sort of internal mall to access it from the new bridge.

But what's the story with trees on the roof? Are they little beer gardens or something? A nice idea, but I doubt the roof as smooth and elegant as in the render.

I think my mood is best described as "cautiously optimistic".