Crystalbrook Aurora tops out at Garema Place, marking key milestone for Canberra luxury hotel

Crystalbrook Collection – one of Australia’s leading sustainably and personality-led luxury hospitality companies – alongside Canberra-based developer TP Dynamics, has marked a major construction milestone for Crystalbrook Aurora, with the 10-storey luxury hotel officially topping out at Garema Place in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Set to open in early 2027, Crystalbrook Aurora is now moving into its next phase of delivery, following groundwork laid in May last year. The project will move from major structural works into façade installation and detailed interior fit-out, led by multi-disciplinary design practice FK in collaboration with the TP Dynamics construction team.

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Located on Bunda Street on Garema Place, Crystalbrook Aurora has been designed as a contemporary expression of the city’s architectural heritage and its founding vision of integrating nature with the built environment. The hotel will feature 225 rooms, including 11 suites, alongside elevated dining, immersive wellness facilities and premium conferencing and event spaces designed to serve both visitors and the local community.

Crystalbrook Aurora has also confirmed a local dining partner, welcoming acclaimed Canberra Japanese restaurant Raku as a flagship tenant within the development. The new 300-seat Raku venue will be three times the size of its current Canberra Centre location and deliver a multi-sensory dining experience, featuring an extra-long sushi bar, a dedicated tasting bar, a stylish main bar and four private dining rooms.

In addition to Raku’s ground floor and basement tenancy, Crystalbrook Aurora will operate its own Level 10 rooftop dining venue, offering panoramic views across the city and further cementing the hotel as a new destination for dining and entertainment in Canberra.

The hotel will also feature a comprehensive wellness precinct, including Crystalbrook’s signature Eléme Day Spa, a plunge pool, swimming pool, sauna and fully equipped gym. Five dedicated conferencing and event spaces – including a venue capable of hosting up to 300 guests – will position Crystalbrook Aurora as a premium hub for business events, celebrations and cultural gatherings in the capital.

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To mark the topping-out milestone, ACT’s Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Trade Andrew Barr MLA joined project partners for a ceremonial tree placement on the structure’s rooftop, a long-standing construction tradition. The gesture paid homage to the project’s design inspiration drawn from Canberra’s history, particularly the legacy of Marion Mahony Griffin – one of the world’s earliest licensed female architects – who, alongside her husband and creative partner Walter Burley Griffin, helped shape the capital’s enduring relationship between landscape and built form.

Geoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection, said the milestone marks an important moment for the brand’s entry into the ACT: “Topping out is always significant, particularly as we enter a new city for the first time. The ceremonial tree placing reflects the nature-led inspiration behind Crystalbrook Aurora’s design, as well as our broader ethos of responsible luxury. We’re proud of the project’s progress and look forward to opening a hotel that contributes meaningfully to Canberra’s hospitality and cultural landscape in early 2027.”

Tony Pan, Founder and Managing Director of TP Dynamics, added the milestone reflects the collective effort behind the locally led development: “From breaking ground in 2024 to reaching this point today, Crystalbrook Aurora has been an incredibly proud journey for our team. This project is more than a hotel – it’s a long-term investment in Canberra’s future, delivered alongside local businesses, contractors and trades who share our passion for the city.”

For Ghassan Aboud, Founder of Crystalbrook Collection, the project underscores the group’s long-term commitment to growth: “Crystalbrook Aurora reflects our continued focus on investing in culturally significant locations and delivering hotels that are both distinctive and sustainable. Canberra is an important market for us, and this milestone brings us closer to realising a property that reflects the future of responsible luxury in Australia.”

Raku Owner and Executive Chef Hao Chen commented that the new venue represents a natural next chapter for the restaurant: “This move is about growth – not just for Raku, but for what Canberra dining can become. Crystalbrook Aurora gives us the opportunity to expand the experience while staying true to the spirit and craftsmanship that has defined Raku from the start.”