Veteran Queensland-based hotelier Bruce Hedditch has listed the Orange Grove Hotel, in one of Sydney’s most tightly held precincts, marking its first time to market in four decades.
Hedditch has held the prominent 934sqm corner site in Lilyfield for nearly 40 years, running it under management.
He hails from Wagga Wagga, and owned and operated a newsagent in Sydney before first dabbling in pub ownership with the Redfern Hotel, operated for a time by former Sydney Lord Mayor Nelson Meers.
Turning down an opportunity to buy The Oaks in Neutral Bay for $850K, Hedditch sold at Redfern and bought the Orange Grove.
Now 80 years young, he says he’s parting with The OG due to age.
“That’s my age, not the pub,” he jokes. “It’s a lovely Tooths hotel from the 1950s, in a lovely area that’s getting better all time. It’s going to be fantastic for future years.”
In the 90s Bruce and his wife Halina ventured to Bowen, between Airlie Beach and Townsville, for a few months. He says he’s still there all these years later, minding the tiller at his Larrikin’s Hotel.
“It’s a great industry, if you can do the hours,” he says. “The rewards are there.
“I still enjoy talking to patrons every day. You can learn so much simply by talking to people about the community.”
The OG offers a welcoming sports bar with TAB and Keno, a well-appointed bistro and commercial kitchen, gaming room with 12 machines, 12 accommodation rooms and a manager’s residence, and an over-the-bar bottleshop.
Established at its present location on Balmain Rd since 1959, the OG is believed to have been moved 100 metres from its previous site.
It is now close to the popular Orange Grove Markets, and historic Leichhardt Oval – home of the West Tigers.
Beyond holding a respected place as a social hub for the community, it benefits from the thousands of annual visitors to the Oval for NRL, rugby union and community events. In recent times the Hotel has also hosted recordings of the WestsLife podcast.
Lilyfield is five kilometres outside of the Sydney CBD, between the vibrant inner west suburbs of Balmain and Leichhardt. It is serviced by the extensive infrastructure coming to fruition in the inner west, bringing the Light Rail network, City West Link and Lilyfield Road.
Inner West Council’s Fairer Future for the Inner West plans have passed through community feedback and now await final approval. The plans pose a framework to deliver higher-density, transit-oriented housing while preserving heritage and community character.
This significantly increases the Orange Grove’s redevelopment potential. Mixed-use buildings of up to 11 storeys are being allowed for in growth corridors, supporting the increase of floor area, and additional residential housing over commercial spaces. This bodes well for the OG as a candidate for a future high-density development.
Its location and flexible zoning are described as a “rare convergence” of hospitality and potential that is certain to attract both investors and operators.
“The site opens the door to a wide range of future possibilities, from boutique mixed-use developments to vibrant retail and residential projects,” suggests Savills’ Leon Alaban, marketing the freehold going concern asset.
“Its location near Leichhardt Oval and the CBD makes it an ideal candidate for investors looking to unlock long-term value in a high-growth area.”
The Orange Grove Hotel is to be sold via Expressions of Interest, closing Wednesday, 29 October.
