With the ink still drying on his Newport Arms acquisition, Justin Hemmes’ Merivale has leapt into Newtown with the purchase of the Queen Victoria Hotel.
Very close to Newtown station on Enmore Road, the Hotel is the first inner-west venue for the leading pub group, which has been aggressively expanding its portfolio and offerings in the past year or so.
A quick turn-around will see Merivale take the keys to the Queen Victoria later this month, and re-launch in early June with a signature strong food focus, headed up by Chris Hogarth and Patrick Friesen of Papi Chulo fame.
“The Queen Victoria Hotel is another fantastic addition to the Merivale group in what is undoubtedly our most exciting year yet,” said Justin Hemmes, Merivale CEO.
“I am passionate about creating world-class venues designed specifically around the local community and look forward to becoming part of Sydney’s thriving Inner West.”
The Queen Victoria transaction was concluded off-market through John Musca of JLL Hotels and continues a buying spree that began around the start of 2014 with Oxford Street’s Paddington Arms, slated for overhaul with a re-launch this August.
Soon after came the purchase of the sprawling Beach Palace Hotel, which has already enjoyed critical acclaim and overwhelming patronage since its re-invention as Coogee Pavilion.
And last month Hemmes signed on the line for The Newport Arms, with the $47 million purchase from the Bayfields set to bring about a new era for the Northern Beaches icon.
Merivale is also rumouring a refresh for its Surry Hills stalwart The Beresford Hotel, hinting that the ever-popular venue is “set for fresh interiors” with further details to be announced soon.
