Merivale’s millionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes to reveal plans for Alexandria Hotel revamp

SYDNEY’S millionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes will front a public meeting next month to outline Merivale’s plans to revamp the Alexandria Hotel.

The Alexandria Hotel has been bought out by Merivale. Pic: Damian Shaw/AAP

• Justin Hemmes snaps up the Collaroy on the northern beaches
• Tennyson Hotel set for ‘refresh’ by new owner Justin Hemmes

SYDNEY’S millionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes will front a public meeting to outline Merivale’s plans to revamp the Alexandria Hotel.

Details on the refurbishment of “the Alex” have been scarce since Mr Hemmes bought it last ­August.

He will make a presentation next month at the Alexandria Resident Action Group about his vision for the 145-year-old hotel, which remains boarded up and covered in graffiti.

Justin Hemmes will front the next ARAG meeting to reveal plans for the Alex Hotel.

Merivale bought the pub after a fierce community cam­paign against apartment development was upheld in the Land and Environment Court. The City of Sydney then campaigned for a heritage listing, which was granted.

Mr Hemmes will speak at the next Alexandria Resident Action Group (ARAG) in September to detail the timeline and refurbishment plans for the pub, including the overall concept for the courtyard — a priority for Merival before any development application is submitted to council.

“I was first shown a picture of the building, then heard how much the Alex meant to the community — that it had even inspired a movement to save it,” Mr Hemmes told Central Sydney.

“The more I read about its history, the more I thought, ‘this pub cannot be demolished’.

The Alexandria Hotel has been a part of the community since opening 145 years ago.

“Pubs like the Alex are integral to the culture and essence of a community — a place to gather, to socialise, to eat and drink, and make memories. We can’t afford to lose them.”

Action group convener Ben Aveling said he was happy the hotel had been saved but wasn’t sure whether the character would be retained.

“I’m pleased about the redevelopment, as it used to be my local,” Mr Aveling said.

“I’m just not sure if it’s going to be a local. It’s not going to be the same pub.”

A date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed.

The Alexandria Hotel is currently boarded up and covered in graffiti.

When the company first bought The Alex, the vision for the hotel included preserving the 1930s front bar and to transform the large courtyard into a multi-use space and a call-out was made for local creatives to contribute their ideas for the design.

Mr Hemmes would not be drawn on details of how Merivale, which owns more than 50 venues across Sydney, including the now for-sale Vic on the Park, would retain the ‘local’ feel of the venue.

Mr Hemmes has been working with architect Kelvin Ho to develop the final design concept.

“The survival of The Alex is an incredible testament to the passion of a community who fought hard to save it, and we are really excited to give it the future it deserves,” Mr Hemmes said.