The landlords of AVC’s glittering Claremont Hotel, which re-emerged this year after a massive makeover, are allegedly suing builders FDC Construction over matters relating to ‘breach of contract’.
A hotel opened on the site in Perth’s western suburbs in 1886, but was replaced in 1902 by the current structure, in the Federation Filigree style. It has become an institution in the affluent region of the city.
In early 2018 it was purchased by an entity fronted by the Jones family, with Barry Jones citing a future rebuild costing up to $6 million over the coming 18 months.
However, in April 2020 the Hotel was another that succumb to the pitfalls of the pandemic, closing its doors indefinitely.
In early 2022 a lease on the business was acquired by national operator Australian Venue Co, and January 2023 rang in the pub’s reopening after nearly three years dark and a $12 million facelift.
Licensed for 1,600, the two-level landmark had been expanded to more than double the floorspace, while restored retaining the fabric of the heritage building. Now occupying the former Bellissimo restaurant space next door, the Claremont comprises a sports bar, lounge bars, restaurant, function rooms and outside deck area.
The redesign was the work of Perth architectural firm Fratelle.
But this week news has emerged that court documents have been filed by the freeholder, Claremont Hotel (WA), demanding damages. A writ lodged in the Supreme Court accuses the West Australian subsidiary of national building company FDC Construction of breaching a contract for the design and construction.
FDC has been the boots on the ground building the Laundy family’s greenfields, such as the awarded Marsden Park Brewhouse, and engages in hospitality and commercial projects around the country.
The unspecified claim is said to relate to delays in reopening the business, resulting in trading losses, and its submission to the Supreme Court suggests damages would exceed $750k.
AVC confirmed to PubTIC it is not involved in the suit.
A spokesperson for FDC told PubTIC the company will be “defending vigorously” any claim.
