The Alma Tavern at Norwood has been sold to fast-growing hotelier Duxton Pubs
An Adelaide pub owned by a series of Adelaide Crows stars over more than two decades has been sold to one of the country’s fastest growing hotel groups.
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Adelaide Crows trio Mark Ricciuto, Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane have sold Adelaide institution the Alma Tavern to fast-growing hotels group Duxton Pubs.
A string of current and former Crows greats have shared ownership of the Norwood pub with prominent hotelier Peter Hurley over the years, including the current investor group, as well as previous investors and former Crows stars Simon Goodwin and Patrick Dangerfield.
Walker and Sloane bought into the hotel in 2014, joining Ricciuto, who joined forces with Goodwin and the Hurleys in 2000 as part of the original consortium.
The pub has undergone a series of renovations and upgrades since then, most recently in 2019 with the installation of a retractable roof over the beer garden, a revamped bar and new firepit.
After agreeing to purchase the Alma for an undisclosed price, Duxton is now preparing to take over the running of the venue in February next year, with plans for more upgrades in the future.
“Duxton Hospitality is delighted to be adding the Alma to its portfolio of hotels that it manages across regional and metropolitan South Australia,” Duxton Hospitality Services chief operating officer Joanna Chronis said.
“In particular, we’re excited to build on the tremendous legacy of the hotel’s previous owners who have made the Alma an integral part of the local community.
“With predicted growth in population density in the adjacent suburbs, we’ll be focused on ensuring the Alma is a must-visit venue for nearby residents, offering the kind of hospitality that Duxton is becoming known for.
“Our early focus will be on honing the food offering as a key drawcard for the venue and looking at opportunities to build out green spaces by enhancing the urban design elements. It’s a great hotel, with a great future.”
The Duxton Pubs group was established by high-profile Adelaide hoteliers Brett Matthews, Martin Palmer and Ed Peter in 2020 with the acquisition of its first venue The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide.
Subsidiary company Duxton Hospitality Services operates 17 of the group’s 25 venues including The Cremorne, Royal Oak Hotel and Little Bang Brewery.
The Cremorne at Unley recently picked up the gong for Overall Hotel of the Year at the Australian Hotels Association’s National Excellence Awards.
Ricciuto has invested in several hotel ventures since the final stages of his playing career, including the Port Lincoln Hotel and the Hackney Hotel, which is currently being redeveloped into luxury apartments.
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