The impressive, beachside Lennox Hotel has been bought by a partnership between Fraser Short and Stu Laundy, ushering in a new flagship for local aspirations.
The latest Short-Laundy hospitality consortium bought the large-format pub from the private Campbell and Lister families, who have owned it for more than a decade, for an undisclosed sum later disclosed as more than $40 million.
Over the past two years Short has spent a lot more time in the Byron Bay area, just 20 kilometres north of Lennox Head, having already accumulated two other local businesses.
“We have a house on Belongil in Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers is my little family’s second home; so with both The Balcony Bar and Oyster Room and The Farm Byron Bay in our group, Ally and I are excited to expand into such an amazing community.”
Short says there is a lot of excitement in his group about the potential for the place, but it needs to be done right.
“I think we’ve really got to go in and talk to the community, and find out what they’re looking for. It’s serving a pretty good purpose at the moment, but it could potentially be tweaked.
“Lennox Head is both a world-class destination and a sought-after lifestyle for those that are lucky enough to enjoy it.
“The Lennox presented itself as an unmissable asset, so we joined together with our long-term partners the Laundy family to ensure we can deliver back to the community a gathering place that represents their lifestyle, and one they can be proud of being associated with.”
The two-storey Hotel includes a bistro, restaurant and bottleshop, on the corner of Pacific Parade and Byron Street, with uninterrupted ocean views. Hollywood actors and Byron Bay locals Chris and Liam Hemsworth are among its regular clientele. The Campbell and Lister families purchased it in the naughties for circa $14.5 million.
“We feel very privileged to have owned such an iconic hotel,” offer Clyde and Greg Campbell.
“The decision to sell was not one that our families made lightly, but we are excited about the opportunities this presents for our team and the community.
“We welcome the Short and Laundy families to Lennox and look forward to remaining involved in the community through our other businesses.”
Lennox Head is a world-renowned surfing beach, and like Manly’s Steyne Hotel, Byron’s Beach Hotel, Bondi’s Bondi Hotel, Cronulla’s Northies and Coogee’s Pavilion, the Lennox Hotel is the kind of true beachfront hotel properties that aren’t being built anymore. It will benefit from the resources and experience of the new owners, who reportedly plan to pay deference to the history of the area and the property.
The off-market sale was executed by Andrew Jolliffe, Asia-Pacific director for HTL Property.
“Stu and Fraser understand the infrequency of rare opportunity, and when presented by the chance to own a generational asset such as this one, mobilized with blinding efficiency.”
