The Laundy family and partners have received final approvals for a major new pub development in Sydney’s booming south-west, heralding the creation of the Oxley Ridge Tavern.
Plans were submitted by construction company FDC in early 2022 for works on the corner of Northern and Brunsdon roads Cobbitty that would see a big block of land split for two new builds.
The highlight will be a three-level building that will become the Oxley Ridge Tavern, with capacity for 750-pax. On ground level will be a bar, sports lounge and gaming lounge, commercial kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas and kids’ play area.
On a mezzanine level will be a second bar and kitchen, also with both indoor and outdoor dining areas, and on the lower ground will be back of house spaces and underground parking.
The other half of the site will be for fast-food outlets, being a Taco Bell, Oporto, Red Rooster and Dominos. This has already passed through certification and will be the first of two construction phases, expected to begin early 2024.
Phase two, erecting the tavern, will hopefully commence immediately after phase one, kicking off a 13 to 14-month build around February.
Camden Council was specific about the importance of the site, at a major four-way intersection, and architects SJB have joined in expectation to make the multiple new buildings significant, with “architectural character”. This is likely to include a detailed finish or possibly a mural, to add visual interest.
Initial trading hours of 7am to 2am Monday to Saturday have been approved, with a midnight lockout, and after the first year of trading Council will consider whether the extended hours can continue.
Next comes preparation of certification documents for the new pub, which is projected to cost $22.4 million to build, including design and consultation.
Plans submitted to Council noted there are currently no taverns located within the area, the nearest being the Maloufs’ Gregory Hills Hotel, over six kilometres away. It’s posed Oxley Ridge will create over 300 jobs, both directly and indirectly.
FDC Construction has partnered with Laundy Hotels on several projects and is again a partner in the digs at Cobbitty. The ownership structure at the new premises is the same as the rebuilt Log Cabin at Penrith, which opened early 2022 and is reportedly “going fantastic”.
Oxley Ridge joins the portfolio alongside dozens of pubs, including comparable, bold greenfield builds at Marsden Brewhouse in Marsden Park, Locker Room at Olympic Park, and most recently Plough & Ale Hotel at Calderwood.
The family-run hotel group, led by industry stalwart Arthur Laundy, has opted in recent years to create new opportunities in growth regions and focus heavily on food & bev offerings, giving rise to the new Arturo’s fine dining at the Woolly Bay Hotel, and the premium foodservice offering at the Log Cabin.
Cobbitty comes as the group adjusts to the absorption of Fraser Short’s half share in a $300 million partnership portfolio of hotels that included Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel and Cronulla’s Northies, announced earlier this year.
But former MP Craig Laundy, who has largely taken over heading up operations and advancement, says the greenfields actually make more sense for them and will help ready him for the impending arrival of any grandchildren, with his son Charlie recently announcing his engagement.
“We have three generations of family working in the business.
“We’ve traditionally bought, learned and renovated in an attempt to fix what we saw doesn’t work, but a new build is a clean slate. You can design it a certain way and capitalise on all that experience.
“And it’s exciting. It’s a lot of fun. In years to come I can put my grandkids in the car, take them for a bite and tell them their father, grandfather and great grandfather all played a part in making it happen.”
