The recently completed $6.5 million refurbishment of Quest at Sydney Olympic Park was designed to honour the precinct’s proud legacy of sustainability while bringing to life Quest’s brand commitment to community and environmental impact through its Quest for a Cause mission.
Owners James and Lys Blanchett purchased the 140-room Quest Apartment Hotel franchise in September 2024, just weeks before the NSW Government released the draft Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan 2050 which builds on the precinct’s history of hosting the Sydney 2000 Olympics, famously dubbed the “Green Games,” and outlines a bold vision for environmentally responsible growth into the future.
“There was such synergy in the timing,” said James Blanchett. “We were ready to breathe new life into the property, and we wanted to ensure the refurbishment honoured the precinct’s unique sustainability legacy, a vision that aligns closely with Quest’s brand values and our Quest for a Cause mission.”
The Master Plan 2050 maintains Sydney Olympic Park’s role as the state’s premier sports and events hub while transforming it into a vibrant, connected urban community. The Plan includes up to 13,000 new homes, 32,000 jobs, 430 hectares of parklands, as well as new retail, education, and leisure spaces, growth that aligns strongly with Quest’s commitment to giving back and supporting communities.
“This planned growth brings incredible opportunity for the area and for the business, and we wanted our property to grow in step with the precinct’s vision,” said James.
To bring that vision to life, James and Lys worked closely with asset owner CapitaLand, commercial building management firm Scope Worx and a carefully selected team of collaborators who share Quest Apartment Hotel’s strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values.
The interior refurbishment was led by Brisbane-based firm Furn-Niche, which also completed the property’s original 2012 furnishing design. Sustainability was embedded throughout the process to minimise waste and environmental impact.
“We engaged the team at Project Net Zero, a 100% Indigenous-owned social enterprise, who assisted us to remove more than 57,000kg of used furniture, diverting it from landfill and repurposing it to support a range of community organisations,” said James.
The majority of the furniture was donated to community support organisation Social Futures, helping to fit out a new Homeless Support Service in Tweed Heads (Bundjalung Country).
New carpets throughout guest rooms, corridors and public areas were supplied by modular flooring specialist Interface, made from 100% recycled and bio-based content to minimise environmental impact, including reclaimed fishing nets.
“Our purchase of sustainable bedding, from Vendella’s Dream Green range, made from recycled plastic bottles, saved more than 34,000 bottles from landfill,” James said.
Finally, all new Sealy mattresses were installed, with old units either donated through Project Net Zero or recycled through Soft Landing, Sealy’s mattress recycling partner, which repurposes up to 75% of materials from each mattress.
“This project is a shining example of Quest’s brand values in action, brought to life by passionate business owners committed to creating a hotel that feels like home, with a purpose.” said David Mansfield, Managing Director, The Ascott Limited Australasia.
As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible operations, Quest at Sydney Olympic Park continues to invest in initiatives that reduce its environmental footprint and support the precinct’s long-term sustainability goals.
The property participates in Hotels for Trees, a guest-led program where skipping a room clean directly funds tree planting. The hotel has already contributed more than 1000 trees, a result that lowers emissions associated with daily cleans while giving back to the environment in a measurable way. In addition, the building holds strong NABERS ratings for both energy and water, supported by on-site solar generation and recycled water systems.
The property also supports Soap Aid by collecting partially used soap for recycling, ranking in the Top 10 Accommodation Champions in 2024 and diverting 105 kg of waste from landfill.
These initiatives demonstrate a clear commitment to efficient resource management, reduced operating impacts and continuous improvement aligned with national sustainability standards, and reinforce Quest for a Cause as a brand-wide mission to ensure every stay makes a difference.
Quest Olympic Park is located at: 6 Edwin Flack Avenue Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Olympic Park
About Quest Olympic Park:
- 140 serviced apartment-style rooms
- Studios, 1-, 2- and 3- bedroom apartments
- All with full laundry and kitchen facilities.
- Complimentary WiFi
- On-site gym
- Conference facilities
- Accessible rooms available – have been independently accredited for the needs of independent wheelchair users who can self-transfer and also those people with reduced mobility that use a cane or walking frame.
- Onsite Secure Parking (limited, fees apply; valid 2pm – 10am)
For more info on Quest Sydney Olympic Park, Click HERE
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