Prominent Sydney developer Sonnel Hospitality has lodged plans for a massive $33 million demolition and upgrade of the chart-topping Crossroads Hotel.
An ultra-large-format pub at the ‘crossroads’ of major Sydney arteries the Hume Hwy and Camden Valley Way, the multi-faceted pub last saw a major renovation and redirection in 2017 at the hands of Marlow Group.
In 2022 it sold for a record breaking $160 million to the group headed by the late former Sydney Lord Mayor, Nelson Meers.
The high-performing hotel is a staple pit-stop for truckies and travellers and regular in Liquor & Gaming’s Top10 of NSW pubs, and is now looking to broaden its general appeal.
“The development brings a renewed focus on food and beverage offerings to foster a family friendly environment,” suggests the application.
The plans aim to demolish several areas of the existing structure. The room count will increase from 15 to 39 accommodation rooms, and there will be a new courtyard and external spaces, with a lounge and beer garden. There will also be new a function room, kids’ area, additional parking and pick-up and drop-off area for five vehicles.
Importantly, there will be a “an overhaul of the internal food and beverage offering” and function services.
The plans were lodged late January with Liverpool City Council, and Sydney Western City Planning Panel will determine the application.
Established in the 1830s, Casula’s Crossroads Hotel has a long and colourful history that has included being the unwanted focus of one of the early public outbreaks during the COVID pandemic, and previously as an establishment visited by convicted serial killer Ivan Milat.
Sonnel has been making waves in the past year, buying up new assets, such as the Australian Hotel & Brewery and Eastwood Hotel, from Redcape, and launching inclusion initiatives across its western Sydney portfolio.
The group reports it is not able to share any further details on the Crossroads project as yet, but is expected to do so “in the coming weeks”.
