Sydney hospitality giant Solotel has announced completion of the sale of the iconic Green Park Hotel to precinct hero, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
Built 1893, the three-storey Darlinghurst institution and destination venue for Mardi Gras celebrations will soon be repurposed for hospital-related patient care, training and research.
“The Green Park Hotel has been part of the Solomon family and Solotel Group for more than 30 years,” says director, Elliot Solomon.
“We have loved every minute of our time in welcoming the Darlinghurst community to the Green Park. We wish St Vincent’s all the best as it continues to deliver care and supports the Darlinghurst community into the future.”
The GPH will soon accommodate the growing needs of St Vincent’s health services, citing the community mental and urban hub health services, the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation Arts for Health Programme, a studio for St V’s TV, and the St Vincent’s innovation and improvement hub.
The pub’s liquor licence and six EGMs were not included in the sale, as the hospital had no use for them. Solotel has not disclosed any future intentions for them.
Stemming from an era when the area was predominately working class the GPH is a fine example of Federation architecture. In more recent times it has become a notably inclusive premise in the bohemian precinct, and hit with the LGBTQI community.
“We are therefore mindful that the site has long held a special place in the hearts of many Darlinghurst locals and we will ensure we preserve the building’s heritage and acknowledge its historical legacy,” offers Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM, St Vincent’s Health Network Chief Executive.
“St Vincent’s looks forward to growing our community-based and outreach services as well as housing our innovation and arts programmes at the new stvincent’s@greenpark.”
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage considers the Hotel to have historic, aesthetic and social significance, which will require the hospital to retain certain design features, including the bar. Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich has already indicated he will investigate what heritage protections are in place to ensure it is preserved.
In a recent interview in AICD’s November edition, group CEO Justine Baker suggests operators need to “Get out of crisis mode and develop a strategic mindset”. Baker told PubTIC reality set in on the GPH.
“The sale was ultimately a business decision and something that the hospital had been talking to us on and off about.
“But it really wasn’t an easy decision as the Green Park is so much more than just a building to us.”
Solotel aims to give the GPH “the send-off it deserves” over coming weeks.
