The legendary Star Hotel in Newcastle has come to market – an up-and-coming inner-city offering, and the site of one of Australia’s biggest riots.
Three years ago, Chris Mills took on the leasehold operation of the Star, on Newcastle’s King St, transforming a raw shell into a modern corner pub through an extensive renovation that cost close to a million dollars.
Built in 1885, remodelled in 1925, redesign of the Hotel included adding a commercial kitchen and modern amenities including disabled toilets.
Since reopening, the region has been booming, with hundreds of residential apartments under construction or now completed, the University open, and upgrades to infrastructure including the light rail and Newcastle West train station.
It is a very different scene to that of the late 70s, when Tooth & Co owned the Hotel and decided to abruptly close it, giving the local youth and gay community that frequented it just one week’s notice.
The pub had become known as a pillar in the golden age of Newcastle rock, hosting bands every night. A final gig was hurriedly organised with local group the Heroes, for closing night, 19 September 1979.
That night the Star saw an estimated 4,000 people gather and join in protest of its closing, throwing beer cans and fighting with police on the streets for more than two hours in what has become known as one of Australia’s worst ever riots.
Having done most of the heavy lifting in getting the pub reopen and back into the groove, Mills now has his eye on a new, bigger venue, and has listed the Hotel operation through Deane Moore of Moore & Moore Real Estate.
The sale represents the first time the business has been on the market in more than two decades.
“There’s a lot of blue sky in this business, based on an opportunity for someone to get in the inner-city market,” says Moore.
“A venue that’s doing early 20s in revenue, that potentially could do early 30s and have a real good following.”
The 20-year lease (17 remaining) of the Star Hotel is being sold via Expressions of Interest.
