Moelis buys Byron Bay's The Beach Hotel for just over $100 million
Investment giant Moelis have entered in to an exclusivity agreement to buy The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay.
They're set to pay just over $100 million.
Moelis Australia, headed by the Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, will establish a single asset fund following the agreement, with investors to be given the opportunity to invest in the business.
If the transaction proceeds, the Beach Hotel will be managed by Moelis Australia Hotel Management, with the intention to retain the majority of the existing management operations and venue staff.
Moelis Australia Hotel Management CEO Dan Brady called The Beach Hotel Byron Bay an "iconic Australian establishment located on irreplaceable real estate."
"The acquisition of both freehold and operating interests will enable the required capital investment to further enhance what has made the hotel iconic - that is, a great community gathering place with a fun, sociable, friendly and safe hospitality offering delivered by an engage and passionate team of local hospitality professionals," Brady said.
Moelis already own several hotels, but The Beach Hotel Byron Bay will be operated separately.
Moelis manages ASX listed Redcape Hotel Group and a single asset fund which owns the Grand Hotel in Rockdale.
It was just the second time The ‘Beachie’, as it is often referred to, was offered to the market since it was built in the 1990s by long-time local John 'Strop' Cornell.
The business was sold by the Melbourne-based Impact Investment Group, a joint venture between the Liberman and van Haandel families.
The oceanside pub was sold by Impact Investment Group, which owned the freehold, and Melbourne restaurateurs and hospitality figures John and Lisa van Haandel, who owned the business side.
Melbourne restauranteurs and hospitality figures John and Lisa van Haandel have operated the property since 2007.
It was offloaded by Cornell for $44 million. It last traded for $68.2 million just last year.
Located with over 100 metres frontage overlooking Byron’s Main Beach, the hotel spans a 4,585 sqm area and includes 25 newly-appointed luxury boutique hotel rooms and swimming pool.
It also features a large pub with extensive beer gardens, restaurant, function spaces and bottle shop.
JLL’s national director John Musca, boutique accommodation specialist Tom Gibson secured the sale and JLL's Queensland Vice-President Tom Gleeson secured the sale.