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The Star brought out the stars at tonight's official launch of the venue formally known as Star City Casino... (least we forget.)
The Star hopes and it appears, has succeeded, in loosing tags and Aussie nick names like "RSL on steroids".
Olivia Newton-John was snuck into Sydney yesterday to prepare for her role as ribbon cutter. The rumour mill says she snatched Lionel Richie's spot.
Conspicuous by their absence were NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and Lord Mayor Clover Moore. We're guessing they're not exactly passionate punters, but The Star is as much about entertainment as it is gambling, so go figure.
The Star calls itself a "one-of-a-kind leisure and entertainment venue".
The super expensive $860 million transformation of Star City includes the re-orientation of the building to embrace Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. Once fully complete, The Star will boast more than 20 restaurants, bars and cafes, a new luxury boutique hotel and 16 room spa, upscale retail collection, a 4000 capacity entertainment centre and world class gaming areas.
The Star is very much about great food. Joanna Savill, co-editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, says The Star's line-up of "really great chefs" will "completely change the food landscape of Pyrmont and turn it into a new dining precinct for Sydney" capable of challenging Surry Hills.
Created by internationally acclaimed events producer David Grant, tonight’s ceremonial opening featured a dazzling light and visual arts display, centred on The Star’s new glass façade harbour-side entrance.
250 guests were picked up by motor yachts from The Rocks and brought across to Pyrmont Bay where they did the red carpet.
The colourful celebration featured a special appearances by Russell Crowe (flanked by his wife
Danielle Spencer), and Aussie showbiz icon, Olivia Newton-John. Crowe was a key in seeing South Sydney Rabbitoh's getting into a lucrative deal with The Star, so his appearance wasn't what you would call a huge surprise, but it was very welcome.
Guests dined in to a couple of The Star’s new showcase restaurants – BLACK by ezard and Balla.
Now we're off to an exclusive after-party at The Star’s new cocktail lounge, Cherry, while punters and rockers tune into live music via the Rock Lily venue with beats from Australian band Potbelleez.
Tonight may have been a big night at The Star, but our spies tipped us off on a few more big gigs coming up at the former ugly duckling casino, and stars, celebs and tons of world class entertainment are in the wind, all overlooking Sydney's world famous harbour.
*photography by Eva Rinaldi Photography
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