Celebrities attend Sydney's Star City venue relaunch

Sydney's newest entertainment venue, The Star, has opened with its launch event attended by celebrities Olivia Newton John and Russell Crowe.
The $870 million transformation of Sydney's Star City gambling and entertainment venue has included the re-orientation of the building to embrace the Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. Made up of 147 flags of clear glass, The Star's new harbourside glass fa�ade formed a giant screen to showcase a dazzling light and visual arts display created by internationally acclaimed events producer David Grant.
Once 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.
Larry Mullin, Chief Executive of Echo Entertainment Group, which owns and operates The Star, says the redevelopment represents one of the biggest tourism and entertainment investments in Australia today.
"By forging partnerships with leading chefs, retailers, designers and entertainers, in The Star we're creating the sort of integrated entertainment destination that will drive both domestic and international tourism.
"This $870 million investment will position us as a powerful force in entertainment and gaming. We're also proud that we have been able to create 1500 construction jobs and nearly 1000 ongoing positions in one of the biggest hospitality recruitment drives this city has seen in many years."
NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said the investment in The Star is a vote of confidence in the Harbour City, its status as Australia's global city and its attraction to interstate and international visitors, adding "I congratulate the operators of The Star, a total entertainment complex which will help propel Sydney as the premiere tourist destination not just in Australia, but in the entire Asia/Pacific area.
"The redevelopment is truly magnificent and it has transformed the venue into something of which NSW can truly be proud."
The phased launch of The Star through 2012 and 2013 will include an international nightclub and a $100 million events centre which will be able to host A-list performers in intimate concert settings, conferences, exhibitions and 1,500 seat banquet functions.