Maurice Terzini resigns from Icebergs business after sexual misconduct allegations against son Sylvester

Famed restaurateur Maurice Terzini has sold out of a major Sydney venue as part of a $20m deal and resigned as director of his Icebergs business pending a review of allegations against his son.

Sylvester Terzini and his father Maurice Terzini. Picture: Supplied

Embattled restaurateur Maurice Terzini has sold out of a major Sydney venue as part of a $20m deal and resigned as director of his Icebergs business pending a review of allegations against his son.

The Bondi Icebergs founder’s empire was rocked on Wednesday morning with news he had resigned from his famed Sydney hospitality group.

“Maurice Terzini has agreed to resign as a director of the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar business and has stood down from any involvement in the business as we conduct an independent review of the issues raised in the SMH reports,” a spokesman for the business said.

The exit comes after allegations his son Sylvester Terzini engaged in sexual misconduct between 2016 and 2023.

Sylvester has vigorously denied the claims.

Maurice Terzini, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, also addressed the untested allegations, saying the devastating claims had no place in the company’s venues, industry or society.

Maurice Terzini. Picture: Nikki Short

Mr Terzini said he is supporting his son while an internal investigation takes place.

The alleged sexual incidents did not occur at the restaurant owner’s venues, but some alleged victims met Sylvester at his venues.

Separately, well-known publican Patrick Gallagher has paid $20m for the leasehold of the Jacksons on George bar, picking it up from a group of investors including Mr Terzini, who reopened the venue in 2023 after a major refurbishment.

The deal, which has been under negotiation since last year, will see the PJ Gallagher operation take charge of the overhauled property from DTL Entertainment Group.

DTL is led by entrepreneurs Paul Ford and Steve Bannigan, Mr Terzini, and publican Michael Broome.

It has a history as a late-night venue going back to the mid-1980s but has been transformed from a grungy nightclub to a classy restaurant and bar venue.

The complex is part of a larger Lendlease development and now comprises a three-level building and also has a rooftop terrace overlooking George Street Public Plaza.

Mr Gallagher was last involved with the iconic Jacksons on George site in 2018 ahead of its revamp as part of Lendlease’s overall Sydney Place scheme.

Jacksons on George rooftop bar on George Street in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

He had swooped on the leasehold after previous operator J&J O’Brien went into receivership in 2013. The freehold sold to Lendlease for about $23m, and it then leased the pub to Mr Gallagher, who undertook a revamp of his own.

During that era the premises included a rooftop garden bar, first-floor nightclub and an Irish bar on the ground floor, as well as a bistro and outdoor seating. A sports bar was on the lower level.

That late-night pub closed in 2018 as the lease to the Gallaghers expired and Lendlease then demolished it to make way for the new development at Circular Quay

In 2022, plans for the new three-level modern Australian gastropub and restaurant were unveiled.

Jacksons on George was promoted as a gastronome’s delight under the stewardship of Mr Terzini as creative director, and it reopened in 2023.

JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s Kate MacDonald and Ben McDonald brokered the off-market sale.

They said it came after the sales of the Republic Hotel, Edinburgh Castle Hotel, and Hotel Coronation in Sydney.