Hospitality giant Merivale reveals plans for new, world-class hospitality precinct in CBD

The Justin-Hemmes run hospitality giant Merivale has unveiled its plans for an ambitious new, world-class dining, hotel and office space precinct in the heart of the CBD.

Justin Hemmes has unveiled plans for a new world-class dining, hotel and office space in the CBD. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Justin Hemmes-run ­hospitality giant Merivale has unveiled its plans for an ­ambitious new world-class dining, hotel and office space precinct in the heart of the CBD.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the group is hoping to take five heritage buildings between King, York, Clarence and Barrack streets in the CBD, an area formerly known as Kings Green, and give it a new lease of life by turning it into a 16,300sqm, interconnected, mixed-used, multi-­offering hospitality precinct.

The area includes the nostalgic Hotel CBD, which the company bought back in 1995. Then, in 2022, the company bought the remaining buildings which include 50 King St, 73 York St, 71 York St and 312-318 Clarence St.

In the proposal for the precinct, the heritage features of the buildings will be retained, along with the buildings’ current heights and footprints.

There will be no major demolition or reconstruction.

Justin Hemmes has huge plans to transform part of Sydney’s CBD and boost the 24-hour economy. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The project has been years in the making and it’s understood Merivale will submit the development application to council next month.

In that application, they will also apply for a “change of use” for the precinct from residential, commercial and retail spaces to a cohesive licenced food and beverage premises. It’s understood Merivale has begun engagement with the community and stakeholders regarding the enterprising proposal.

In a statement provided to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Hemmes said not only would the precinct create hundreds of jobs, but he hoped the project would also contribute to making Sydney a globally renowned, vibrant 24-hour city.

“We are setting out on a mission to transform the separate spaces of these incredible buildings into a combined, licenced precinct that will ­facilitate quality and accessible entertainment, food, beverage and accommodation options,” Mr Hemmes said.

“We want to build on the heritage and memories of our Hotel CBD venue, which we built and have operated since 1995.

“The precinct is ideally located near public transport, existing retail space and a central CBD location.

“We are thrilled to bring to life and celebrate some of the CBD’s most beautiful and interesting buildings and share them with the public through the creation of new food, entertainment, office, accommodation and wellness facilities.”

Hemmes intends to build on the success of the Hotel CBD venue, which they started in 1995. Picture: Supplied

It comes as the state government announced a plan to add 40,000 new hotel rooms across the state to try and create a $91 billion visitor economy by 2035.

Executive director of Business Sydney Paul Nicolaou applauded Merivale’s ambitious plan.

“This is exactly the confidence-building big thinking that our wonderful city needs and it will have a cascading effect in encouraging other developers to invest in the CBD economy,” Mr Nicolaou said.

Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said the project will “wake up and activate this part of the city”.

“This project celebrates our city’s heritage and delivers a world-class entertainment and dining precinct nowhere else seen in Australia,” he said.

“I’m excited to hear my ­constituents’ responses to the proposal.”

The precinct falls within the Purple Flag zone, which is an international accreditation program that recognises that an area meets standards of excellence in vibrancy, diversity and safety at night.

The zone means the area has, among other things, good access to public transport. Mr Hemmes said thanks to the opening of the Sydney Metro, the city is entering a “new and exciting era for hospitality and entertainment”.

He added the new precinct would add to Sydney’s 24-hour economy by giving visitors, residents and night-time workers greater choice and ­access to food, beverage and entertainment.

An artist’s impression of Merivale’s vision for the site. Picture: Supplied

Merivale is one of the biggest hospitality groups in the country. It runs more than 90 venues across the city and in Victoria and employs over 5000 staff.

Earlier this year it launched Good Luck Restaurant Lounge and JAM Records in the CBD, as well as taking over the running of the cafe at the exclusive sporting club of ­Sydney. It’s also set to open a second Jimmy’s Falafel site at Paddington.

Last month, the group strongly denied allegations presented by the ABC that the company fostered a toxic culture.

In a statement, Merivale said they take allegations of misconduct by employees and patrons seriously but accused the ABC of publishing “false and misleading material”.

In regards to its new project, if approved, Merivale said it will take a staged approach to the evolution of the site, with each venue to be launched separately.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Hospitality giant Merivale reveals plans for new, world-class hospitality precinct in CBD