SYDNEY, NSW

SOVEREIGN RESORT VIP GAMING & DINING

Sovereign Resort VIP Gaming | The Star Sydney

The Star Entertainment Group

Design

Shannon Cloete led excellence in strategic design and research for the $250m+ Sovereign Resort VIP gaming, which spans over 5000 sqm2 on top of the main gaming floor, with expansive views across the iconic Sydney harbour. The resort ensures ultimate guest luxury and experience, with direct lift access from premium valet and self-drive. Direct access is exclusive to the sovereign guests and diamond members, including the most premium Chairman’s Gaming rooms.

Stakeholder Management

Shannon worked closely with the CEO, COO and other key stakeholders, including our VIP gaming and COO, to develop a world-class international VIP Gaming Resort project.

Collaboration

It all begins with an idea & strategic place-making vision - which Shannon led with HBA Melbourne, who led the essential design at the direction of Shannon, creating a world-class Gaming experience in the luxury and elegance of the beautiful Sydney Harbour.

This included leading all essential design consultants to ensure that the vision principles he developed with design, interiors, architecture & design strategic vision were communicated with the many stakeholders & media organisations both internally & externally.

Designed by the talented Clifford Rip Suede Design (HBA Melbourne)

Hotel lobby reception area with a curved desk, decorative wooden ceiling fixtures, metallic accents, and a woman standing at the reception counter.

Entry Design. Sovereign Room The Star Sydney

Luxurious hotel lobby with modern decor, a large abstract metallic sculpture hanging from the ceiling, and a couple walking through the space.

Luxury hotel casino interior with poker tables, slot machines, a white luxury car, and large windows viewing outdoor greenery.

Atrium design sovereign room the star sydney

Modern lounge or restaurant with blue chairs, a curved marble bar, purple wall art with astronomical or galaxy themes, and gold circular ceiling decorations.

Modern hotel lounge with large windows, curved bar, and stylish seating including beige armchairs and black leather sofas, illuminated by contemporary lighting fixtures.

Luxurious hotel lounge with modern armchairs, round tables, floor-to-ceiling windows, city skyline view, and contemporary lighting fixtures.

Luxurious hotel bar lounge with modern furniture, decorative lighting, and a bartender in the background.

Luxurious high-rise casino poker room with windows, modern chandelier, and elegant furniture.

Futuristic multi-level building with curved white structures and rooftop pools in an urban setting.

Three images of modern architectural buildings. The top shows a futuristic two-tower structure with rooftop pools connected by curved bridges. The bottom left features an oval-shaped, glass building with a helipad on top, situated near a body of wate

Luxury hotel or event lobby with check-in desks, staff, and guests. Elegant decor with gold accents, modern lighting, and geometric flooring.

Luxurious hotel lobby with a car display, modern decor, and a glass-walled atrium with greenery.

Elegant hotel lobby with escalators, gold accents, and geometric marble flooring.

Luxurious hotel lobby with black marble floors, golden wall accents on the left, and white marble walls on the right. A person standing at a reception desk with a tall green vase of flowers is visible on the right. In the background, a wooden bench i

Elegant lobby entrance with a dark marble reception wall featuring a neon sign that reads 'SOVEREIGN'. Flanked by curved counters with gold accents, behind glass partitions with hanging decorative elements.

Elegant and modern restaurant booth seating with beige upholstered seats, small round tables, and accompanying chairs, enclosed by dark wooden slats with soft, ambient lighting.

Luxurious restroom with marble sinks, mirrors, and modern lighting fixtures.

Modern hotel lounge with blue chairs, beige sofas, purple wall art, marble accents, and gold circular ceiling light fixtures

A modern salon vanity area with a marble tabletop, two illuminated mirrors, stools, and a mirrored background.

Elegant marble hallway with decorative circular wall art and a modern chandelier.

Elegant modern restaurant with marble floors, round tables, blue and beige chairs, purple accent walls with planetary art, and ambient lighting.

Modern hotel lobby with a large glass sculpture resembling a swirling tree branch hanging from the ceiling, beige walls, and a polished black water feature in the foreground. There are multiple seating areas with chairs and computer stations.

Empty shopping mall corridor with elegant gold and white decor and ceiling lighting.

Luxurious hotel lobby with escalator, modern decor, gold circular wall art, black and white patterned floor, and reception desks.

Luxury shopping mall interior with seating area, Versace storefront, and modern decor.

Design Vision & Strategy

Design & Vision Strategy: The Star Sydney - Sovereign Room

The Star Sydney’s Sovereign Room exemplifies a paradigm shift in VIP gaming environments, redefining luxury through a seamless integration of immersive guest experiences and architectural sophistication. Anchored by a biophilic design philosophy, the space invites natural light and breathtaking night vistas, forging a profound connection between guests and their surroundings. This deliberate interplay of nature and opulence is articulated through bespoke finishes, lush greenery, and thoughtfully curated art pieces, elevating the ambience beyond conventional expectations.

Shannon Cloete, Head of Design at The Star Entertainment Group, encapsulates this vision: “A guest remembers your service and the sensory experience of the space.”

This guiding principle informs every design decision, ensuring that material selection and spatial configuration coalesce to craft an elegant, unforgettable journey for each visitor.

At the core of this achievement was a design competition led by Shannon, resulting in a strategic partnership with Clifford Rip of Suede Design (formerly HBA Melbourne). This collaboration underscores the critical importance of aligning client aspirations with premier design expertise. Moreover, it exemplifies how rigorous teamwork between client-side leadership and innovative design firms can transcend standard luxury benchmarks, cementing The Star’s status as a leader in sophisticated hospitality environments.