Convent Garden Hotel premises in Sydney's China Town quietly sold
The leasehold interest in the Covent Garden Hotel, a Chinatown hospitality institution with Luey family origins stretching back to the 1970's, has been sold off-market.
The purchaser is believed to be a very experienced multi-hotel operating group from Sydney.
Ray White's Asia Pacific director of hotels Andrew Jolliffe brokered the transaction via an off-market campaign.
The three storey and dual fronted Covent Garden Hotel opened in 1911 by Tooths & Co and has been a hospitality icon since.
Jolliffe says the change of hands signifies the enduring nature of Sydney's entertainment precincts.
"Our client, the Luey family, have very successfully occupied the Covent Garden Hotel for decades, and accordingly sought from us a transaction which identified a suitable party via which to continue the strong business operation known to thousands of local and international patrons" said Jolliffe.
"Many a visitor to Sydney's vibrant Chinatown district, whether seeing an international performance or attending Paddy's Markets, has walked through the doors of this proud institution.
"Importantly, the transaction we've co-ordinated means the legacy created by the Luey family is in very safe hands for another generation, and will be preserved under the guidance of one of Sydney's most well-known and highly credentialed hospitality families" advised Jolliffe.
A spokesman for the Luey family confirmed the sale, and advised that the family was extremely proud of the hotel's history, whilst being excited about the business's future under the guidance of the new operator.
With recent sales of numerous high profile hotel operations including the Vic on the Park and Collaroy hotels to Merivale impresario Justin Hemmes, as well as Newtown's iconic Marlborough Hotel to Solotel's Bruce Solomon, Jolliffe believes the hotel asset class remains well positioned.
"Unmistakably, the asset class remains particularly strong, and strengthening, with key fundamentals all scripting earnings growth indexed to strong cash flows and meaningful barriers to competitive entry."