NSW Riverina pub sold in huge $30 million deal

Considered the largest ever single pub sale in the NSW Riverina region, a Griffith venue has been sold for a record sum.

The 1291 sqm Area Hotel in Griffith has been sold in deal reportedly worth $30 million.

A two-storey pub at the centre of a Riverina town has been sold in the most lucrative regional NSW hotel transaction of the 2023-24 financial year.

The Area Hotel, on Banna Avenue in Griffith, has changed hands following five years of ownership by renowned regional NSW publican Jim Knox.

Acquired in 2019 by Mr Knox, the Area Hotel has reportedly been sold for about $30 million, via an off-market deal – regarded as the largest ever single pub sale in the NSW Riverina region.

Property records show Golden Vault Hotels, owned by budding Leeton-based pub baron Trent Middleton and his wife, Cuiping Zeng, have acquired the venue.

The Area Hotel adds to the six venues already owned by Golden Vault Hotels including fellow Riverina watering holes; the Leeton Hotel, 58km from Griffith, the Yenda Hotel, 15km from Griffith and Yanco Hotel, 62km from Griffith.

Golden Vault Hotels also owns venues east of the Riverina in the southern tablelands, including the Clubhouse Hotel, Royal Hotel and Bottlemart in Yass NSW.

HTL Property agent Xavier Plunkett and Chris Tinning along with company hotel broker Nick Tinning managed the sale, but declined to comment on the transaction.

The 1291 sqm venue has a beer garden, 15 pub-style accommodation rooms, 30 poker machines in a gaming room and a 3am liquor licence.

Operating since 1937, the Area Hotel was previously held by an ownership syndicate since 2004, before the venue was sold to Mr Knox in 2019 for about $8 million.

Earlier this year, two of Victoria’s oldest country hotels, including one in Camperdown were listed for sale where they are expected to receive multimillion dollar offers.