Work to begin in the new year on Zuccoli’s first pub as developer seeks owner/operator for venue

A developer who established a popular watering hole at Bellamack is returning to the well once more, with planning at an advanced stage for Zuccoli’s first pub. The hunt is now on for an owner/operator to take the reins.

Render of the proposed Parkside Bistro at Zuccoli. Picture: Rossi Architects

A developer who established a popular watering hole at Bellamack eight years ago is returning to the well once more, with planning at an advanced stage for Zuccoli’s first pub and bistro – and the hunt is on to find an operator.

David Anthony, the owner and sole director of Armada Hotels and Leisure Pty Ltd, lodged a development application over the corner of Bloodwood St and Tuckeroo Blvd, which forms part of the massive Zuccoli Aspire residential development, in March last year.

Once operational, the venue, located on a 3320 sqm block zoned commercial, would likely be known as the Parkside Bistro.

Construction is due to commence in the new year, with the venue required to be up and running by October 2025 in order to satisfy the conditions of its liquor licence.

Mr Anthony, who also works closely with Venture Community Housing as one of the developers of the non-profit’s housing stock (19 units at 3 Mansfield St, Palmerston City, are at an advanced stage) said his vision is for a “pub for the whole community”.

Queensland-based developer David Anthony. Picture: LinkedIn

“With a variety of features and facilities, including indoor and outdoor dining areas, a large main bar, bistro, beer garden and a licence for 20 gaming machines, the tavern is well poised to become a central recreational hub for the south Palmerston community,” he said.

A kids’ play area is also expected to form part of the development.

And don’t expect gristly steaks and soggy fish and chips – Mr Anthony said a “strong food and beverage offering” would be the centrepiece of the new venue’s appeal.

Render of the proposed Parkside Bistro at Zuccoli. Picture: Rossi Architects

Once the pub is built, Mr Anthony will hand it over to a new owner/operator, similarly to what he did with what’s now known as the Bell Bar and Bistro at Bellamack, which was operated by a company helmed by the well-known Coleman brothers after its construction.

The national expressions of interest campaign, led by leading hotel brokerage firm HTL Property, is now underway.

Parkside Bistro will be offered as a turn key investment, with the new owner/operator able to hit the ground running.

Render of the proposed Parkside Bistro at Zuccoli. Picture: Rossi Architects

“Opportunities such as the approved greenfield site in Zuccoli are as rare as they are valuable,” said HTL property director, Glenn Price.

“We are of the belief that both hoteliers domiciled in the NT, and those from the wider national hotel market, will respond favourably to this opportunity and with great enthusiasm.”

Mr Price said the Territory pub market had “arrived on the national stage”.

“Given the nature of the opportunity and when considering the size and location of the site, it is expected that there will be interest nationally from leading private and corporate groups, private family offices and individual publicans throughout the campaign” he said.

HTL managing director Andrew Jolliffe said the suburb’s burgeoning population augured well for the new owner/operator.

“The area’s continued strong growth in terms of the number of new residents and private residences directly supports the requirement for local amenities and services, including hospitality venues such as that contemplated by the Parkside Bistro,” Mr Jolliffe said.

The expressions of interest campaign closes on November 14.

HTL Property managing director Andrew Jolliffe. Picture: Richard Dobson

The new owner-operator will have the opportunity to request small changes in the back-end of the design phase.

When built, Parkside Bistro would be Zuccoli’s first pub.

Another proposed boozer, Zuccoli Tavern, located within Zuccoli Plaza, is currently bogged down in the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal after Mr Anthony and Armada Hotels sought a review over the rival pub’s plan to acquire a licence to operate 10 electronic gaming machines (pokies) at its venue.