$1 billion proposed plans for James Packer’s Barangaroo new hotel and casino has been stated to be a public interest assault by the peak architecture body of the state.  The Australian Institute of Architects’ NSW President, Joe Agius has also been stated to criticize the comparison of the building to the Sydney Opera House by Packer as being ludicrous and offensive.  The company of James Packer, Crown Limited, has released three different designs by the firms Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects for the new proposed building at Barangaroo.

Packer has stated that these designs mean that this building will be the most iconic in the city since the construction of the Opera House.  Paul Keating, former prime minister, and Barangaroo Design Excellence Review Panel Chairman has been reported to praise the designs as going in the right direction of being a significant building for the city.  Although Agius sent a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald saying that Packer’s comparison of his designs to a public cultural building such as the Sydney Opera House is both ludicrous and offensive.

Crown is in negotiations with Barangaroo Delivery Authority to increase the proposed and approved 170 meters for the hotel to 235 meters.  Agius is concerned with the impact that such a building will bring to the harbor side of Barangaroo Central.  Crown is requesting this be a VIP-only casino with 6 star hotel rating of the NSW government.  The panel that is considering the financial benefits to the state proposed by Crown and also a rival plan by Echo Entertainment for the expansion of the Star casino is set to report some time this month.