Pub sector stalwart Arthur Laundy is set to open his magnificent new western Sydney pub-brewery – The Marsden – after a $45 million build and industry invitational unveiling on Friday.
Laundy Hotels will throw open the doors of the very large-format The Marsden on Tuesday, achieving a goal of Arthur’s as he notches up a half-century steering the family business. Arthur Laundy senior died in a plane crash, in 1969.
MP Craig Laundy joined his father welcoming honoured guests to the pre-launch celebration, each thanking people instrumental in the creation of the all-new pub in burgeoning Marsden Park. Of particular note by Arthur was his long-serving assistant and close friend Robyn Gumbley, who was not able to be present, and Craig’s wife Suzy.
Craig gave thanks to his mother, Margaret, who was present, dubbing her the “even better woman” behind every great man, but noted his father had “done a good job of brushing over” his own part in making The Marsden happen.
Having been forced into a licensee role at 28 when his father passed, Arthur (Jr)(“Spike”) put behind him his wilder inclinations and knuckled down to work the family business. Still working every day at the Twin Willows, which Laundy Sr built in the 60s, the patriarch unveiled his very first ground-up hotel at age 78.
“Today what you’ve seen is testament to 50 years of an amazing guy,” stressed Craig. “It’s the continuation of 50 years of someone who is an amazing character, having an amazing go.
“Dad, I hope in 20 or 30 years’ time – I hope in 30 or 40 – you get to sit down and have a beer with him again. I’ve always been sure of one thing: your father is, not would be, so proud of you.”
Images and video provided by The Marsden builders, FDC Construction.
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Set on a huge block in the $2bn Sydney Business Park, The Marsden is a state-of-the-art pub brewery for a rapidly growing precinct that ticks all the boxes for a modern hospitality offering.
Surrounded by multi-national headquarters and big-volume retail outlets, The Marsden was built specifically to cater to the thousands of workers destined to occupy the Business Park, and many more local residents either living in or destined for Marsden Park and surrounds.
Offering generous outdoor areas and a succession of individual interior zones, the Hotel is geared for high capacity. The menus count creations from the prominent wood-fired pizza oven, and selections from the meat display.
Adjacent to the main family dining area, which flows from the central bar, is a big outdoor children’s play space, shaded by canvas sails, with further seating and tables for supervisors.
But dominating an entire corner of the building is the gleaming two-storey brewery, projecting a vision of stainless steel that can be seen from most of the interior spaces.