Sky’s no limit at Jerry Schwartz’s Sofitel hotel in Darling Harbour

Calling the NSW government’s decision that put a halt to the helipad shortsighted, he has instead lodged plans with Placemaking NSW, the former Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, to put two swanky penthouses at the top of the hotel.

The $500 million hotel opened in 2017, and Schwartz was there at the start helping to pour the first slab of concrete for the 35-storey building. His original plan was for 38 levels with the helipad rounding out the top floor.

He now wants to install two four-bedroom penthouses, each about 400 square metres, instead. One would have a lap pool above the existing executive lounge, and both would get exclusive lift access. The penthouses, with views over Pyrmont Bridge, are likely to be worth about $10 million each.

Schwartz said he discussed having a helipad with the local authority, but after two years of costly planning it refused to sign off on the idea, suggesting instead he consider penthouses.

“I think it was a shortsighted decision to deprive Sydney of a helipad, as the Sofitel would have been the ideal location for installing such a facility,” he said.

“However, we’ve always had the capacity to add extra floors to the building in line with the original DA approval and with Sydney now rebuilding its international tourism and business markets, this is the ideal time to add luxury accommodation.”

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has 590 rooms and was the first new-build luxury hotel in Sydney’s CBD in the 21st century. It has Sydney’s first dedicated champagne bar and an indulgent day spa launched in 2023.

Gallon wine bar

Nestled in Harris Street, Pyrmont, are two properties that are being offered for sale for the first time in 35 years. Housing the popular Gallon wine bar and an adjoining bottle shop, the combined site area is about 883 square metres with a net lettable area close to 926 sq m.

No price was disclosed but similar sized properties have sold for about $10 million to $12 million.

The properties are held on two separate titles and include high street retail, hospitality and boutique office uses, as well as a licensed hospitality courtyard and on-site parking accessible via Miller Street.

The buildings were constructed around 1870 in the Victorian Regency style and were classed as historic on the Register of the National Estate in 1978. JLL’s Willem Watson, Harry Borger and James Aroney are advising on the sale.

Panthers precinct

As Western Sydney International Airport prepares to open next year, the surrounding area is rapidly becoming a key business and tourism hub, fuelled by significant investments.

A key highlight is the Western Sydney Convention Centre, part of a $110 million development by the Panthers Group in 2023.

In readiness for an anticipated influx of global and local visitors, the convention centre has expanded its offerings to include the Panthers Precinct. The precinct offers entertainment, dining and sporting experiences, with 17 dining and bar options, as well as indoor skydiving at iFLY and Aqua Golf.

There is also the adjoining Pullman Sydney Penrith, the area’s first five-star hotel.

The $309 million redevelopment of the Penrith Stadium, home to the Penrith Panthers, is also set to open in 2027. It is expected to increase ground capacity to 25,000.

Forest Lodge

A block of 10 apartments registered as a boarding house in sought-after inner Sydney has sold for just under $5 million.

The property at 28 Ross Street in Forest Lodge has six one-bedroom apartments and four studios on a 302 sq m site about 2.5 kilometres southwest of the CBD. It’s walking distance from the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

The fully leased building operates as a multi-tenanted dwelling, spanning three levels on a corner block with dual street frontage to Ross Street and St Johns Road.

It was bought for $4.8 million by a local investor through Knight Frank’s James Masselos and Adam Droubi on behalf of the Little Family.