The business and freehold of historic landmark the St Andrews Hotel are being sold, in the scenic Kinglake foothills.
Built 1856, when St Andrews was known as ‘Queenstown’, the hotel has become renowned for its cozy country pub vibe.
It has a earned a reputation as a community hub and as a destination for live music, hosting the most iconic bands in Melbourne, and for attracting lovers of prestigious motorbikes and hotrods, telling visitors to remember there “ain’t no saints here”.
Located on the path to the famed Yarra Valley winery region, which attracts over five million annual visitors, the pub is well positioned to capture lucrative weekend and day-trip trade, occupying a high-profile corner adjoining the popular St Andrews markets.
Inside, the welcoming public bar sports open fireplaces and serves local produce; in 2024 it received a ‘Recommended’ award by Restaurant Guru.
St Andrew was a first-century Christian Apostle, becoming the patron saint of Scotland and Greece.
The namesake Victorian community boasts a high median weekly household income, witnessing impressive housing valuation growth of 20 per cent in the past year. It is found less than 50 kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD and the hotel’s nearest competitor is in Panton Hill, seven kilometres further north.
Set on a generous 5,615sqm lot with flexible Township zoning, the asset also offers significant development potential (STCA).
Vendor on the restapled property is a private, former owner-operator who has held it for 40 years but retired a few years ago.
Looking to ‘reset’ where he is headed, he discussed selling with the tenant, who agreed to join the process and offer the title as a vacant freehold.
Marketing literature notes upside in developing under-utilized internal and external trading spaces.
Expected to fetch circa $3 million it offers flexibility for incoming buyers and operators to take over a well-established business.
Sale of the St Andrews is through an Expressions of Interest process closing Wednesday, 12 August led by HTL Property’s Scott Callow, George Iliopulos and Dan Ryan, who note its significance.
“The St Andrews Hotel is more than just a pub; it’s a regional destination that benefits from over one million annual visitors to the nearby Kinglake National Park,” says Callow.
“The opportunity to take vacant possession presents the new owners with a blank canvas to further grow and develop this property and business.
“In doing so, one would acquire a piece of outer Melbourne hospitality history.”
