Construction is officially underway on the highly anticipated Florin Hotel, a $275 million luxury development set to redefine hospitality in the heart of Sydney. Hickory is proud to be appointed as the builder for this landmark project, located at 499 Kent Street, with completion expected in the second half of 2027.
The Florin Hotel is a joint venture between INT.RE (formerly Icon Developments) and Icon Oceania, the team behind the award-winning Vibe Darling Harbour. The hotel will operate under EVT Hotels & Resorts’ Independent Collection, offering a five-star, 228-key experience that celebrates the rich legacy of the site — once home to Universal Pictures’ Australian headquarters.
Designed by SJB Architects, the Florin Hotel will feature a striking 3D art façade across 20 levels, a rooftop infinity pool with a two-level bar, and a dramatic “vertigo suite” with a transparent glass floor offering views of the city below. The design pays homage to the site’s cinematic history while delivering a modern, heritage-inspired luxury experience.
Hickory’s appointment as builder reflects our continued commitment to delivering complex, high-profile projects that push the boundaries of design and construction. With our proven track record in large-scale developments, we’re excited to bring this visionary hotel to life in collaboration with some of the industry’s leading names.
Located adjacent to QVB and Town Hall, the Florin Hotel will offer guests unmatched connectivity and amenity, including a tranquil ground-level courtyard, green walls, and a vibrant restaurant and bar.
As Sydney prepares to host world-class events like the Rugby World Cup and international music festivals, the Florin Hotel is set to become a new icon in the city’s hospitality landscape — and Hickory is proud to be building it.
Quotes attributable to Icon Oceania Managing Director, Nico Tjen:
“Florin Hotel represents an incredible opportunity for our team – this is a much-loved and historic site, and we are honoured to be entrusted to deliver a project that adds luxury, amenity and landmark accommodation to the Sydney CBD, while still celebrating its heritage.”
The demand for experiential travel and sharing unique experiences on social media platforms has never been greater and Florin Hotel will become the backdrop of choice for such moments. The uniqueness of features such as the Vertigo Suite, rooftop infinity pool and a stunning 2 level rooftop bar have been a driving force in the development of the Florin Hotel story.
Quotes attributable to INT.RE CEO, Matthew Bourke:
“Sydney is such an exciting market at the moment and this is an outstanding site to be delivering a world-class hotel; collaborating and bringing the vision to life with our project partners Icon Oceania along with EVT, SJB, Hickory is a significant achievement for our business.”
“2025 has been a watershed year for our team with the evolution of Icon Developments to the INT.RE business, the integration of our property-first investment-led approach has allowed us to invest in partnerships in new sectors and new markets.”
Quotes attributable to EVT Director of Hotels & Resorts, Norman Arundel:
“Our team is passionate in bringing EVT’s Independent Collection signature approach to Florin Hotel, leveraging the scale and expertise of our hotel solutions to ensure operational excellence, culinary dining and bar experiences while executing premium, personalised customer service to every guest”
Quotes attributable to Hickory State Manager NSW, Michael Kouknas:
“We’re proud to commence construction at Hotel Florin, a project that reflects our shared vision with the JV partnership to deliver excellence in design, sustainability, and community impact. At Hickory, we’re committed to creating better places for future communities, and this development is a testament to our growth in the Sydney market.”
