Glenn Piper’s Epochal Hotels has taken another “purposeful step” in the vision to remaster prime coastal properties with acquisition of the Bermagui Beach Hotel.
Set on a site of more than 3K sqm opposite Horseshoe Bay in the seaside town on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, around five hours south of Sydney, the landmark Hotel was built in 1895.
It provides 17 boutique accommodation rooms, a fully renovated two-bedroom apartment and three motel suites, gaming room with 12 EGMs, and north-facing public bar and balcony boasting uninterrupted water views over the Bay.
Piper says he has “fallen in love” with Bermagui and its community – drawn to its beauty and the relaxed rhythm of the town, which he says aligns “seamlessly” with Epoch’s values.
“There’s a magnetic energy in Bermagui … it’s one of those rare places that captures your heart the moment you arrive.”
The group is understood to have paid circa $20 million for the freehold going concern of the Hotel and its neighbouring Beachview Motel.
Vendors on the deal were husband and wife Yannis Gantner and Claire Wheaton, who approaching a decade ago acquired first the freehold then the business, in pursuit of a celebrated ‘sea change’.
Their tenure has resulted in the pub winning the AHA NSW’s award for Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation in 2022, and be finalist for Best Regional Casual Dining.
“Growing the Bermagui Beach Hotel over the past eight years has been a real joy and privilege,” says Gantner.
“It’s now time for me to prioritise my family and other ventures.”
Epochal brings plans for gradual enhancements, intending to maximise waterfront seating and further develop the accommodation as an integral part of the operation.
Piper first appeared in the hospitality sector in 2020 with purchase of his first pub, the Harbord Hotel, from long-standing custodians the Thorpe family.
He spoke of a vision to reinvigorate iconic coastal destinations by bringing new energy to stoic legacy properties.
This goal has grown into a $200 million hospitality portfolio, counting a clutch of nine coastal venues also including the Beach Hotel in Merewether and the Scarborough Hotel, bought from billionaire media tycoon Bruce Gordon last year.
The uplift initiatives have already seen a major makeover at Merewether’s Beach, and on the horizon is a new bar and live music area at the Harbord Hotel and Paul Kelly-designed reworking of the Commodore Hotel in McMahons Point.
“It’s a privilege to be part of the next chapter for this much-loved venue,” Piper says of the latest acquisition.
“It’s an exciting time for Epochal. We’re continuing to grow with purpose, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”
Due to settle later this month, the off-market transaction was brokered by JLL Hotels’ Kate MacDonald, who notes the opportunity for the growing group.
“Quality assets located in single-pub towns opposite the beach, where you can watch whales migrating whilst enjoying fresh produce off the local fishing boat, are next to impossible to find.”
