Tony Benjamin expands Macleay Street, Potts Point presence with art gallery purchase

Tony Benjamin, the $12.7 million buyer of the Potts Point premises sold by pub baron Justin Hemmes, has bought a strategic adjoining holding within the heritage row of 1905 Queen Anne-style terraces.

He’s paid $2.45 million for the 180 square metre art gallery space on the rear ground floor of the Yellow House.

Yuill/Crowley occupy the Macleay Street premises which comes with a 130 square metre basement.

The $13 million corner site has a 373 square metre floorplate occupied by Arida Fashion and the now closed Fish Shop.

The third piece of the jigsaw, the two-star Holiday Lodge, has been owned by Benjamin (inset) since paying $3.29 million in 2009.

There are whispers Benjamin plans a boutique hotel although previous endeavours have failed to proceed.

The Benjamin family made their fortune in Queensland bulky goods outlets.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.