VIRTICAL RULE OUT THE REPUBLIC

In the spotlight developer Virtical has offloaded the Republic in the Sydney CBD to industry veteran Chris Thomas for a significant loss. After bursting into the picture in 2023, spending over $125 million in a matter of months including more

AVC MOVES INTO HALLMARK

Weighing into the recent return in pubs activity, Australian Venue Co has struck its first major deal under its new majority owners, buying 10 venues from Hallmark Hospitality in SEQ. The Melbourne-based group has paid around $50 million for the

FRANCIS GROWS WITH REDCAPE’S WATTLE GROVE

The Redcape reshuffle rolls on with the group’s twice-owned Wattle Grove Hotel becoming the next step in the northward expansion of Melbourne-based Francis Group. This is the second Redcape Hotel Group (RHG) acquisition by the southerners, headed up by Tom

REDCAPE OFFLOAD VAUXHALL TO ORION

Redcape has continued the portfolio hygiene with divestment of the Vauxhall Inn at Granville to the growing Orion Hotels. Established in 1852 on a corner of Parramatta Road, the two-storey heritage-listed hotel was rebuilt in the 1930s in the distinctive

THE SALMONS’ SHIFTING TIDES AT CHATSWOOD

Rod Salmon has passed his newly rebranded Chatswood Hotel on Sydney’s north shore to a growing local operator. The two-level pub, previously known as the Chelsea, occupies a 765sqm strata site surrounded by residential and commercial buildings and opposite the

COLLINS CONFIDENT ON THE SHAKY

The beloved ‘Shaky’ Shakespeare Hotel of Surry Hills, operated by legend Margaret Hargreaves for nearly half a century, has sold to the proprietor of Balmain’s The London. The hotel was established in 1879, found on Devonshire Street just 300 meters

THE MILL COMPLETES UNIVERSAL SWAP

The Kospetas family has bookended its portfolio swap-shuffle with Barham Hamarashid, completing the off-market sale of The Mill in Bondi Junction, following exchange on the Evening Star. What was the Mill Hill Hotel was a modest two-storey premise previously owned

ROYAL ON 99 MAKES 44 FOR THE RHINO

Waratah Hotel Group has successfully divested its acclaimed hotel Royal on 99 to Dave Tomsic’s rampaging Black Rhino group. Located in the major regional Queensland town of Roma, the purpose-built pub opened in 2016, replacing the former Royal Hotel, which

RYANS DRINK IN THE TEA GARDENS

John Purkis and family have passed the reins of the landmark Tea Gardens Hotel in Bondi Junction to Ryan hotel dynasty principals John and Sally Ryan. Purkis bought the big multi-storey Art Deco hotel mid-2014 from Aussie Leisure Group, but

AVC SECURES FUTURE IN AIRLIE BEACH

Australian Venue Co has doubled down on its investment in town with a partnership acquisition of the windswept and interesting Airlie Beach Hotel, in association with restorative owner-operator Mick McFie. Occupying a generous lot just metres from the destination Whitsundays