By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
Solotel has purchased the Australian Hotel and adjacent Abercrombie Heritage Terraces within the Central Park precinct from joint venture partners Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House.
The purchase, in an area of growth on the fringes of Sydney’s CBD, is the first acquisition made by the hospitality group after it was announced that Bruce Solomon and Matt Moran would merge their businesses under the Solotel umbrella. The Australian Hotel – once refurbished – will form an integral part of the Broadway street frontage of the growing Central Park “urban village” made up of residential, retail and entertainment spaces.
The hotel and terraces were sold by Ray White Hotels through an international Expressions of Interest campaign, and Andrew Jolliffe said that due to the hotel's prime position in a developing area, interest in the property was expressed from hospitality groups locally, interstate and from overseas.
"World class developments, and precincts, not surprisingly attract world class operators; and this was certainly true of the international sale process we ran on behalf of our clients Frasers Property and Sekisui House,” stated Jolliffe.
Bruce Solomon said that Solotel was excited to be involved in the growth of this mixed-use development, and that the hotel’s refurbishment will be a nod to its 80-year history.
“Our refurbishment of The Australian Hotel will see the pub restored to its original art-deco glory including its rear courtyard beer garden.
“The Australian Hotel was once one of the most important local watering holes in the southern end of the Sydney CBD. It saw a motley crew of Fairfax journalists, Carlton and United Brewery staff and local rag-trade workers pass through its doors during the 40s, 50s and 60s.
“Solotel will deliver a contemporary expression within the original heritage character of the pub reminiscent of this bygone era whilst ensuring its seamless integration into the broader Central Park precinct.”
The adjacent terraces, facing Abercrombie Street, will be converted into a wine bar. The Australian Hotel, which has alos formerly traded under the name of The Abercromble, is scheduled to re-open in 2018.