The Kospetasfamily’s Universal Hotels and James Thorpe’s Odd Culture Group haves announced a partnership at the famous Imperial Hotel Erskineville, performing a major makeover to cement its legacy.
Popularly known as ‘The Impy’ the striking multi-level hotel was established in 1880, rebuilt around 1940 in the period-popular Art Deco style.
The flamboyant pub developed a LGBTQIA+-friendly reputation under Dawn O’Donnell, prominent supporter of the gay and lesbian community, and notably appeared in Australian cross-dressing cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
A series of breaches by management saw it closed indefinitely in 2015, only to be rescued by a partnership between Fraser Short’s The Sydney Collective and hotelier Scott Leach, president of the AHA NSW, who invested in the property and its operations, unveiling the grand overhaul in time for Mardi Gras 2018.
In 2023 Universal Hotels took the title in an off-market sale, group CEO Harris Kospetas saying it fit their “operational and geographical synergies”.
Now, Odd Culture joins the show in a new joint venture reflecting both groups’ long-term philosophies on both queer nightlife and artistic expression.
“We’ve been taking our time obtaining the necessary planning approvals, and carefully considering the future of the venue,” says Universal COO Richie Haines.
“We’re committed to making The Imperial the best it can be, for the local and broader community.
“Partnering with Odd Culture Group will ensure that happens – we’re impressed with their ambition, and confident that we can work together to bring it to life.”
Universal, which operates a string of pubs on Oxford Street and in Sydney’s CBD, sees the venture as an alignment in preserving the cultural expression of queer nightlife and creating world class spaces where the community can thrive.
Odd Culture assume operations 1 September, ahead of The Impy undergoing a $5 million redevelopment slated for early-2027. The pub’s ground floor footprint will almost double through creation of an expanded beer garden, which will make it one of the largest in the inner west.
And beyond the anticipated general restoration and updates in dining and “experience offerings” the makeover will see introduction of “a new 24-hour club” for the late-night venue.
“The Imperial has spent more than forty years helping to shape Sydney’s queer culture,” says James Thorpe, principle of Odd Culture Group, which is known for its portfolio of inclusive and diverse venues across Sydney.
“This redevelopment is one of the biggest investments in its history, but more importantly, it’s an investment in the next forty years.”
Impacted by the vestiges of Sydney’s ill-fated ‘lockout laws’ many late-night and entertainment venues have struggled, particularly on Oxford Street, and the fragility of queer cultural institutions was underlined by the legendary Stonewall Hotel sinking into administration earlier this year – mere weeks after associated stakeholders had secured the former Kuletos Hotel in Newtown to become a new Stonewall installation.
Universal and Odd Culture both see queer venues as ‘living cultural institutions’ and are aligned in their commitment to protecting the Impy’s legacy while “giving it the confidence to be ambitious” – which Thorpe says is what makes the partnership exciting.
“Our ambition is not simply to preserve one of Australia’s most iconic queer venues, but to ensure it continues to evolve as one of the world’s great queer institutions for generations to come.
“They’re places where artists experiment, communities gather and culture continues to evolve. That isn’t always comfortable, and it isn’t always universally embraced, but it’s essential.”
