Crown Melbourne (also referred to as Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex) is an integrated resort consisting of a casino and hotel located on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia. Crown Melbourne is a subsidiary of Crown Resorts, and was the first casino of the now-international Crown brand. Initially having opened in 1994 on the north bank of the Yarra River, Crown Melbourne relocated and re–opened on the south bank of the Yarra, in 1997. It remains one of the central features of the Southbank precinct of the Melbourne central business district. The entire complex has a space of 510,000 m2—the equivalent to two city blocks—making it the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. The complex also hosts three hotels, Crown Towers, Crown Promenade, and Crown Metropol. It was founded, owned and run by Lloyd Williams until taken over by Publishing & Broadcasting Limited in 1999.

Opening and statistics

Temporary location

Crown Melbourne opened on 30 June 1994 at the World Trade Centre on the northern bank of the Yarra River. This location was a temporary, and training, setup while construction of the proper complex occurred.

Permanent location

Crown's permanent location opened on 8 May 1997 of the southern bank of the Yarra River. It was designed by a team of architects and interior designers working in collaboration, including: Bates Smart, Perrott Lyon Mathieson and Daryl Jackson (in association). On opening night, Actress Rachel Griffiths infamously ran through the casino topless on its opening night to protest the project. It is one of the central features of the Southbank area in the Melbourne central business district and the Crown Towers fronts onto the waterfront as part of Southbank Promenade. Children under the age of 18 are permitted into the entertainment and shopping section of complex, but not into the gaming area or areas serving alcohol. The entire complex has a space of 510,000 m2, making it the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. Crown Casino has a licence for 540 table games (100 poker tables) and 2,500 poker machines.

Restaurants, bars and retail

There are several nightclubs and restaurants as well as "Kingpin" (formerly Galactic Circus), an electronic games arcade, laser tag game, bowling alley, and many luxury brands.

Restaurants

Hotels

Crown has three hotel towers: A fourth hotel, One Queensbridge, had plans for its construction approved. However, these plans fell through due to a failure to acquire financing.

Notable guests at Crown's hotels

Notable guests at the Crown Towers, Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade Hotels have included Celine Dion, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Nicole Kidman, Rachel Griffiths, One Direction, Keanu Reeves, Kerry Packer, Tiger Woods and Neil Murray and many other high-profile celebrities and politicians. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and several other tennis players often stay at the casino during the Australian Open.

Attractions

The Palladium Ballroom

The Palladium at Crown is a ballroom with a seating capacity of 1500. It has played host to some of Australia's premier functions, including the annual Logie Awards, Brownlow Medal, Melbourne Victory Player of the Year Medal, Allan Border Medal, the Australian Formula One Grand Prix ball and the Melbourne Press Club Quill award for excellence in journalism.

Water features

Water features appear both inside and outside the Crown Casino complex.

Gas brigades fire show

Along the Yarra River, outside crown, there are eight towers, at night these towers shoot spheres of fire, almost 3 metres in diameter, in the air at choreographed intervals. The show occurs every hour with times of operating depending on the season of the year and do not operate in strong winds or when a total fire ban is declared.

Controversies

Criminal activities

The Finkelstein Royal Commission

Thefts

Other