Sydney's Newest Nightclub is Now Open

SYDNEY, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Marquee - The Star, Sydney Launches with International and Australian Star-studded Event

Last night, Paris Hilton, Slash, will.i.am, Joe Jonas and a whole host of other superstars helped launch Sydney's newest nightlife venue - Marquee - The Star, Sydney, a joint partnership between Echo Entertainment and Tao Group.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55393-marquee-nightclub-opens-at-the-star-sydney-with-tao-group-noah-tepperberg

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120330/MM79671 )

Over 1,000 party-goers were the first to enjoy the new venue as they partied into the night with electrifying performances by Dutch DJ Afrojack and Redfoo from electro pop duo LMFAO.

The opening saw many local and international celebrities walking the red carpet at The Star's new harbour-side entry, including Paris Hilton, will.i.am, Slash, Ashlee Simpson, Joe Jonas,  Kellan Lutz and Sharni Vinson, Nick and Vanessa Lachey, Wilmer Valderrama, Minka Kelly, Isabel Lucas, Abbie Cornish, Jodie Gordon, Jermaine Dupri, Afrojack, Ricki Lee Coulter and Redfooof LMFAO.

In what is a first for Australia, Marquee - The Star, Sydney has been designed like no other nightlife venue; with nearly 20,000 square feet of floor space, it features three distinct rooms within the one nightclub which allows it to cater for different music tastes and moods.

Marquee - The Star, Sydney will officially be open to the public tonight, with DJ, songwriter and producer will.i.am, from Black Eyed Peas fame, performing. Also at the DJ decks is rapper and producer Jermaine Dupri.

The two nights of partying signal the beginning of an impressive lineup of acts who will take to the stage in the coming weeks, including internationally renowned DJ Avicii over two dates on Easter weekend - April 7 and 8.

Marquee - The Star, Sydney

The nightclub - the latest component of The Star's $870 million redevelopment - is located on the entire top tier of The Star's new Pirrama Road harbourside entrance and has expansive views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.

With a capacity of more than 1,200 people, patrons can transition between three lavish rooms and various music experiences.

The Main Room has a 40-foot LED DJ booth and projection stage and a large dance floor.  In contrast, a stylish library-style room offers an intimate lounge experience, complete with a working fireplace.  Club-goers will also come across the Boom Box VIP Room, with a separate DJ and state-of-the-art sound system.  There is also a chill-out area with unparalleled views of the Sydney skyline.

Furnished with luxurious interiors, the venue will have an exclusive VIP entrance for quick entry from street level.

Echo Entertainment Group CEO, Larry Mullin, said The Star had secured America's biggest nightclub operator to manage a world-class entertainment venue.

"The new nightclub is an important part of our redevelopment as we move to fulfill our aim of being Sydney's ultimate one-stop nightlife and entertainment destination.  The last piece of this jigsaw will be the $100 million multipurpose Events Centre which is currently under construction and due for completion in 2013.

"Marquee - The Star, Sydney will have true international stature, thanks to our partnership with the Tao Group which has a proven track record for delivering the ultimate in nightclub experiences," Mr. Mullin said.

The joint venture with The Star's parent company, Echo Entertainment, is the group's first venture outside the United States.  Noah Tepperberg, from Tao Group, said:

"Our team is looking forward to bringing the Marquee brand to Sydney while creating a venue with a distinct Sydney style and personality.  It's been great to see The Star unfold into an impressive casino and hotel, and now dining and entertainment complex, and we are excited to work with the talented Australian based team."

The Star

The Star has recently undergone an $870 million redevelopment and expansion to become a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination. The Star offers more than 20 restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and cafes, a new five star boutique lifestyle hotel called The Darling, a 16 room day spa, a luxury retail collection, and upscale gaming areas.

Part of Echo Entertainment Group, the property currently employs over 4,000 staff across gaming, hospitality and other specialist areas. The redevelopment has created over 700 new jobs, as well as employing more than 1,200 contractors throughout its construction. Attracting visitors to Sydney from around the world, The Star currently injects more than $150 million into local, Australian and international economies across a wide variety of industry sectors.