Catalanos announces new luxury real estate venture in Byron Bay

Media and real estate entrepreneur Antony Catalano and his son have unveiled an expansion of the up-market Raes brand to a new site in Byron Bay.

Media executive Antony Catalano is getting into property development – expanding his luxury hotel brand Raes to a new apartment site in Byron Bay.

Mr Catalano, who runs a publishing and digital real estate businesses with Melbourne billionaire Alex Waislitz, has partnered with developer Podia for The Bonobo by Raes to open in 2024.

The three-level building is pitched as a five-star experience with the ground floor dedicated to being a culinary, wellness and retail hub, with luxury hospitality services for the suites above.

Plans for how the pool at The Bonobo by Raes will look.

The development will have more than 40 hotel-apartments which are touted as either a part-time retreat for apartment owners or an income stream as they are rented out to city escapees.

Centennial Property is also part of the development team, with Raes calling in architects Richards & Spence, who are famous for their work for the lavish The Calile Hotel in Brisbane.

Mr Catalano, a former boss of Domain and chairman of Australian Community Media, bought up Raes on Wategos in 2014. His son Jordan is the manager.

The father-son duo’s portfolio now include Raes on Wategos, Raes Dining Room & Cellar Bar and Sea Raes, a super-yacht available for private charter.

The pair’s new venture shows their hopes that domestic tourism will continue to flourish, as well as those with extra cash to splash will snap up their latest luxury idea, open for more to enjoy unlike their yacht experience which accommodates for just 10 guests.

Jordan Catalano said Raes on Wategos operates close to full occupancy year round. “People’s attitude to travelling locally changed significantly during Covid, and ... there continues to be an appetite to travel in our own backyard,” he said.

The development is due to open in 2024

Jordan Catalano and Tom Hywood, the son of former Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood, earlier this month sold their AD Group to into Antony Catalano’s View Media Group, which is backed by Seven, with hopes of expanding the portal.

In Byron, his focus is on the direct tourism and real estate play.

“Over recent years, we’ve continued to invest in elevating our offering across the hotel and restaurant at Raes on Wategos to create a brand that is now internationally recognised. In doing so we now experience more demand than ever, giving us confidence that there is a large market of travellers seeking a luxury offering in the region,” he said.

The development will have more than 40 hotel-apartments.

Building on the site is underway with the completion target set for mid-2024 and the developer is bullish about the project even as some city projects slow down.

“Raes is synonymous with Byron’s unique coastal vibe, and their culinary and wellness offering is world-class,” said Podia director Michael Grassi.

“ The partnership will not only enhance value for those who invest in The Bonobo,” Mr Grassi added on Thursday.