Universal Hotels have acquired their third hotel on Sydney’s Oxford Street in just over six months.
The leasehold of the Oxford Hotel – purchased from Pelathon – follows the buy of Kinselas from the Australian Pub Fund, and the recent acquisition of Brighton Hotel. Kinselas and Oxford Hotel are almost opposite one another, with Brighton Hotel 350m west of the other two pubs.
Harris Kospetas of Universal Hotels says that the venues were not in competition as they have very different offerings.
“We’re quite confident to take on the Oxford, mainly because it’s quite a different venue to the other two we’ve purchased. It’s got a real potential to be more of a community pub. Kinselas is more of a Surry Hills/Darlinghurst style of pub with its patronage. They’re two different offers for us, we don’t really see them conflicting with each other.”
Kospetas tole Australian Hotelier that the group wanted to bring back Oxford Hotel’s role as a hub for the LGBTIQ community, and make it a welcoming space for all.
“It obviously has quite a big presence and a big history in the gay community, which at the moment is untapped. We’re very hands-on in our company, in our pubs every day, making changes in terms of renovations and activating what the pubs are about.
“Our main plan – which is very similar to Kinselas – is about activating what it was in the past, so bringing it back to the community, in this case as more of a LGBTIQ venue, which is obviously open to everybody.”
Universal Hotels also intends to activate Kinselas as a neighbourhood pub design next year, with the group currently in the planning phase for the venue.
Jaz Mooney, managing director of Pelathon, was pleased with the sale of Oxford Hotel to Universal Hotels.
“I wish the team at Universal Hotels the very best, and I’m sure they’ll do a fantastic job with the venue.”
