- Exciting adaptation and activation of several superb Sydney CBD heritage buildings into a mixed-use, multi-offering hospitality precinct
- Master plan provides the framework for a consolidated 16,300sqm square metre project, with varied publicly accessible inter-venue connections throughout the five buildings located between King, York, Clarence and Barrack Streets
- New precinct will create hundreds of new jobs
- Merivale will take a staged approach to the evolution of the site, with each venue launched separately
- First phase is a development application that, if approved, will bring the sites together under a cohesive licensed food and beverage usage
Merivale has unveiled its vision to create a new interwoven hospitality precinct in Sydney’s CBD, comprising of a boutique hotel, diverse hospitality offerings, wellness facilities and premium office spaces.
Merivale is seeking to beautifully preserve and re-purpose five adjacent under-utilised heritage buildings located within the boundary of King, York, Clarence and Barrack Streets – to create a diverse and stimulating hospitality and entertainment precinct that will transform the area for Sydneysiders and tourists alike, and contribute to Sydney’s continued burgeoning as a globally renowned, vibrant and 24-hour city.
Merivale will submit its development application to the City of Sydney Council next month. The proposal aims to consolidate the five existing buildings under one coherent master plan, paving the way for the creation of interconnected hospitality, entertainment, accommodation and office spaces within the site. Patrons will be able to freely move between the buildings and venues and enjoy the various offerings of the precinct.
The strikingly beautiful heritage features of the sites will be retained and celebrated. The proposed project will retain the current heights and footprints of the buildings, without any major demolition and reconstruction.
While Hotel CBD was Merivale’s first significant hospitality redevelopment back in 1995, Merivale purchased the balance of the heritage buildings in 2022, which were previously a mix of under-invested residential, commercial and retail spaces. As part of the masterplan application, Merivale is applying for a ‘change of use’ for the precinct to a cohesive licenced food and beverage premise.
Merivale will take a phased approach to the creation of the individual venues within the site, with each venue opening as it is completed, before the ultimate precinct is fully realised.
Upon completion it is estimated the precinct will create hundreds of new jobs including skilled culinary roles, food and beverage service and hotel functions.
CEO of Merivale, Justin Hemmes said:
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of many years’ worth of planning and investment into Merivale’s commitment to contribute to the future social and economic success of our beautiful city, with some of the best entertainment and hospitality offerings in the world.
“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.
“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.
“Sydney is entering a new and exciting era for hospitality and entertainment, and the opening of the Sydney Metro has been revolutionary for the city by improving ease and access for everyone to the central business district and all it has to offer.
“Our plans will support the NSW Government’s revised 24-Hour Economy Strategy and Vibrancy Reforms, by creating vibrant and coordinated precincts and places accessible and appealing to visitors and residents alike, as well as supporting nighttime economy workers with greater choice and access to food, beverage and entertainment amenity.”
Merivale has commenced early engagement with the community and other stakeholders regarding the proposal. Further engagement will be undertaken as the development application progresses through the planning process.
Member of Parliament for Sydney, Mr Alex Greenwich said:
“This project celebrates our city’s heritage and delivers a world class entertainment and dining precinct no where else seen in Australia. It will wake-up and activate this part of the city. I’m excited to hear my constituents responses to the proposal.”
Executive Director of Business Sydney, Paul Nicolaou said:
“Business Sydney applauds Merivale’s ambitious plan to adapt some of the city’s finest heritage buildings to become part of a multi-faceted hospitality precinct in the heart of the CBD.
“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.
“Merivale’s development plans contribute to the city’s economic wellbeing at so many levels including generating hundreds of jobs and injecting life into the 24-hour economy.”
