Sydney’s GPO Building Officially Becomes The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney takes over the historic GPO building at No.1 Martin Place after 20 years operating as the Westin Sydney

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney has officially opened its doors today in the iconic former General Post Office (GPO) building at No. 1 Martin Place in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The debut comes almost twelve months to the day since The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts announced it would be taking over management of the 416-room hotel and rebranding the property to The Fullerton Hotel Sydney after 20 years under Marriott management. Australia Post sold the GPO building in March 2017 for $150 million.

The opening of the Fullerton Hotel Sydney marks the first international expansion of The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, the brand central to the waterfront precinct of The Fullerton Heritage by Marina Bay in Singapore, which includes two award-winning hotels: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.

In acquiring the Sydney landmark, The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts adds another historic property to its portfolio, with The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, like its now sister Sydney property, also previously home to the country’s General Post Office and other government departments after its opening in the 1920s. The building was gazetted as Singapore’s 71st National Monument in December 2015 – the highest form of national recognition in Singapore and the equivalent of a listing on the National Heritage List in Australia.

“We encourage our guests to embark on memorable journeys that are deeper, more colourful and more rewarding when they stay in our one-of-a-kind, landmark luxury hotels with prime addresses that are destinations unto themselves,” said Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, General Manager of The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts on the Sydney property’s debut.

 

Heritage

Extensive remediation and maintenance work has been completed on the building’s Martin Place and George Street façade throughout 2019 in time for the hotel’s opening today. Stonemason and Artist, an expert team with a combined stonemasonry experience of 334 years, undertook a 38,000-hour laborious, chemical-free cleaning process to restore the building’s façade to its former glory. Other phases of restoration will follow throughout 2020.

“We are committed to conserving the Sydney GPO building for the enjoyment of generations to come; and the heritage façade remediation programme is just the first step in a multi-phase revitalisation programme to be continued following the opening,” Viterale added.

Known as the city’s rendezvous location, where Sydneysiders dressed to the nines to meet beneath the GPO clock completed in the mid-20th century, the heritage Sydney building commands a prominent social and physical position in the city. In present times, the landmark building remains in the heart of the city’s action, surrounded by financial institutions, luxury retail and lifestyle boutiques as well as galleries.

“We wish to recreate this rendezvous location in 2019 and beyond by encouraging hotel guests and visitors to step into the historic building, and to create and share their own stories of this much-loved landmark and national treasure, just as they do at its sister property, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore,’ said Viterale.

 

Rooms & Suites

Inside the hotel, guest rooms will feature signature Fullerton touches including Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machines with pods, Singaporean TWG teas, and an extensive and indulgent pillow menu to assist with a good night’s sleep. At the touch of a button on a tablet that houses an interactive Tapendium Digital Concierge Solution, guests can browse and request the hotel’s services directly, including ordering a customised Fullerton burger from the in-room dining menu. Custom-made Atkinson amenities have been introduced in standard room categories, with exclusive Balmain amenities making a debut in club rooms and suites.

To commemorate the opening of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney each guest room will include limited edition souvenirs; a complimentary postcard and Fullerton stamps – inviting hotel guests to pen a note to their loved ones and post it from the former GPO itself.

Cuisine

In a nod to the hotel’s namesake heritage, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will feature authentic Southeast Asian cuisines – including iconic Singaporean dishes such as chicken rice – alongside Modern Australian dishes in the new restaurant The Place.

Located on level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, The Place is bathed in natural light through the magnificent glass atrium. Guests can wine and dine and enjoy the elevated views within the six-storey atrium that overlooks the former GPO courtyard. The sophisticated atmosphere is complemented by an open kitchen and lofty perch.

Another Fullerton tradition that will take up permanent residency at The Bar is the Signature Afternoon Tea. The menu delivers on delectable savoury options including Lobster Cornet a l’Oriental, duck rillettes in sesame bun and smoked salmon mille-feuille with caviar; dessert choices include chocolate moelleux, pecan maple tart and pandan lamington. A selection of scones and an extensive TWG tea menu will also be featured.

Diners can also choose a famous Singapore Sling or the hotel’s signature cocktail, Sydney Sling, from the bar menu, with each drink featuring unique flavours from the respective cities.

 

Opening special offer

To celebrate the opening, guests booking a stay at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, a Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection partner, will enjoy special launch benefits including an AUD$50 dining credit and triple points from the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program. The offer is valid from 18 October 2019 to 17 March 2020 and reservations can be made via www.fullertonhotels.com. Rooms are available from AUD$380 per night, inclusive of taxes.