One of North Sydney’s most recognisable and storied venues, the Treehouse Hotel, is being sold by long-timer Andrew Utiger.
Perched prominently on a central corner of Sydney’s northern CBD, the pub boasts a rich legacy spanning 150 years, since its establishment as the Federal Hotel in the 1870s. It traded for over fifty years before being demolished in the 1930s to make way for the widening of the Pacific Highway, after the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in early 1932.
A public naming ballot for the new intersection of Miller Street and the Pacific Highway drew over 100 submissions, with the winner being ‘Victoria Cross’, which is thought to have been either to honour Australian WWI servicemen or in competition with Sydney’s famous Kings Cross.
In 1939 a new Art Deco structure was constructed, opening in 1940 as the Victoria Cross Hotel, under which it traded until its demolition in 1983.
Replacing it was a twelve-storey commercial building, opening in the late 1980s with a 779sqm ground-floor space operating as Victoria Cross Bar.
In 2010 the venue underwent a refurbishment, relaunched as the Treehouse Hotel, offering versatile trading spaces incorporating main bar, restaurant, alfresco terrace and private spaces suited to corporate groups and function-based activity.
The interior is characterised by natural materials and plenty of greenery, for an “urban oasis” aesthetic amongst high rise office towers, premium residential developments and extensive retail.
It has become a destination for casual dining, occasions and private events, appealing to both corporate and leisure trade to enjoy consistent weekday and weekend patronage, with annual turnover of $3.3 million.
Close to bustling North Sydney Station and across from the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro Station, the Treehouse is well positioned to capture increased demand and maintain a strong connection with North Sydney’s evolution, as the precinct continues to benefit from major commercial redevelopment, infrastructure and enhancements.
Furthermore, Council and local businesses are calling for a large section of Miller Street to become a people-friendly plaza that would likely drive additional footfall to the Treehouse.
The ground floor venue, beneath notable tenants including Flight Centre, holds a full hotel licence, with a lease until June 2031 plus two five-year options.
Upside potential in the business comes by way of extended trading hours and greater marketing of the event spaces, or expansion of the venue’s catering and private function business. It is within a Band 1 precinct, which facilitates the addition of gaming.
Industry sources suggest it could fetch a sale price of around $1.5 million. The nearby 300-ranked Billy Barry’s Hotel recently sold to an unnamed buyer for $12 million.
Andrew Utiger has run the leasehold interest since 1995, and after 30 years says it’s time to move on.
He has engaged Manenti Quinlan’s Tom Cullen and Leonard Bongiovanni to conduct an Expressions of Interest campaign, closing Friday, 12 December, who see the pub appealing to experienced operators seeking scale and long-term upside.
“It is rare to see an opportunity that combines this level of historical provenance, brand strength and strategic location,” says Bongiovanni.
“The Treehouse is a destination venue that has consistently performed while maintaining a unique identity in one of Sydney’s most competitive hospitality markets.”
