Iconic Kings Cross venue up for lease
The former Sapphire Lounge venue in Sydney's Kings Cross, now known as The Carlisle Bar, is up for lease.
This 400sqm split-level venue has three bars, VIP area, indoor showpiece tree, birdcages and white decor.
It features a 24 hour liquor license (currently trading until 3am), 300 patron capacity, a full commercial kitchen and designed to cater for large corporate functions, product launches and special events.
The property is up for lease through Metro Commercial agents Jerry Leis, Dillon Frain and Nik Simonovic.
It has been an on off operation over the past decade, among the premises caught amid the lockout laws.
According to a News Ltd report last October, several Kings Cross club owners were intent on joining forces to amalgamate and then sell the adjoining properties on the infamous strip to a developer.
The Sunday Telegraph noted the consortium hoped the area will be rezoned to make way for two high-rise buildings modelled on Malaysia’s Petronas Towers with the development comprising 500 luxury apartments.
Sapphire Lounge owner Charlie Saleh told The Sunday Telegraph he began collecting signatures from the 65 property owners.
“It took a long time and a lot of money but we finally got the last landowner on board that we needed,” Mr Saleh said.
“This is a huge parcel of land that we think has great potential. You have the train station across the road, the CBD is 20 minutes away and you have views of everything from the Blue Mountains to Bondi and Manly.
“I think it’s the last great pocket of city land that hasn’t been redeveloped and if it’s done the right way I think it could transform Sydney.”
He said the area will never again be what it once was, due to the lockout laws, driving the decision of landowners to sell.
The lockout laws, introduced in 2014, state venues in the CBD and nearby Kings Cross close by 3am with last entry at 1.30am.
The nearby former nightclub and music recording studio known as “Studio X”, the 1200 sq m floor span immediately under Kings Cross’ famous “Coca Cola” sign, is for sale.
Colliers International’s Miron Solomons is marketing the property with Gunning Commercial’s Daniel Gunning.
Solomons says the property has been priced to sell at $13 million to $14 million. It is in two strata lots so it can be sold in one line or two separate areas.
The expressions of interest close Wednesday 26 July. The two empty lots have total outgoings for rates, strata, land tax and water of $116,476.
Solomons says the listing typifies the changing use of Kings Cross/Potts Point from the old bar and nightclub scene to a work and lifestyle environment.