NEWS PROPERTY

A waterfront Port Melbourne pub where a slew of local celebrities partied last month has hit the market for the first time in 23 years. The Pier Hotel, found on a prime waterfront spot on the corner of Bay and Beach Streets, could sell for about $18m as current owner David Cambridge gears up for his next project. Currently stretching across two levels and boasting a recent external renovation, the Pier also has an approved permit for prospective publicans to expand the venue with a third level — including a rooftop bar overlooking the bay. The Port Melbourne watering hole was recently the site for the respective 60th birthday bashes of AFL personalities Ricky Nixon and Warwick Capper, who initially feuded over who would host the superior party. Nixon’s celebrations on July 8 saw appearances from the likes of Wayne Carey and Sam Newman, while Capper’s function the following week included music performances from Shannon Noll, Boom Crash Opera, Taxiride and Brian Mannix. The high-profile venue includes multiple function rooms, a large public bar and dining area, and fully-fitted commercial kitchen. JLL’s Hotel Investment Sales vice president Will Connolly is handling the sale alongside Lachlan Persley and Jesse Radisich.

Agents are optimistic of a successful sale as expressions of interest draw to a close on a $20m tourism accommodation business complete with tree houses and villas on 15ha in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Montville’s Secrets on the Lake at 207 Narrows Rd has been described by sales agents as a “rare gem” perfect for expanding a potential buyer’s “business empire”. It is the second time the luxury accommodation retreat has been listed for sale in one year, after opening to expressions of interest in September 2022 before being taken off the market 61 days later. The property sprawls over 15ha, with 800 metres of lakefront land, and has been built over a 20 year period to include tree houses, an owner’s villa, wedding chapel and restaurant. The property also comes with approvals in place to develop the land further should the new owners want to expand.

A group of Pakenham locals have banded together to save the suburb’s iconic local pub, colloquially known as ‘Purvies’, amid a growing trend of restoring historic watering holes to traditional roots. The Pakenham Hotel was rebranded as the Drake Tavern, a modern gastropub-style bistro, 17 years ago before shutting its doors in April when its owners deemed the business “unviable” off the back of Covid-19 lockdowns. While they initially planned to lease the venue out and convert it into medical and childcare facilities, a “born and bred” local real estate agent stepped in to save the institution in an effort to revert it back to a traditional-style pub. Barry Plant Pakenham director Dan O’Loughlin said he had many fond memories of the hotel when growing up in the area and wanted to see it remain as an “establishment for other people to have the same enjoyment”. “We certainly hope it will (return as a traditional pub), the demand is here,” Mr O’Loughlin said. “It would be great to see the pub back up and thriving again, that’s definitely what we’re all hoping for.”

One of the Darling Downs’ oldest pubs has hit the market with a price tag upwards of $2m, and interest has already been strong. Experienced hotel broker Scott Williams has listed the Rams Head Hotel in Millmerran for sale, with its current owners planning to divest after eight years in operation. The 800sq m pub has been renovated on the ground floor and also sports 10 motel rooms and manager’s residence on the top-floor.

One of Launceston’s most historically significant buildings has sold to new owners. The Cornwall Hotel in Cameron Street settled last week after first hitting the market in December. Sydney-based investors snapped up the freehold-property – which houses established tenants Maple Cafe and Hillsong Church – plus the leasehold to the 40-room hotel for a price understood to be more than $5 million.

When Michelle and Phillip Stivens bought popular winery, Heifer Station in 2009, they had no idea they would become gold medalists, now they are selling the business to “properly retire”. Coming from a farming background with no winery experience, the couple took the initiative to focus on soil and plant health as the property had not been maintained for five years before purchasing the property. Describing the vineyard as “covered in blackberries which were overgrown and full of disease”, the pair were up for a challenge – and the challenge paid off – winning them a gold medal award in Shiraz in their first vintage in 2012. Mrs Stivens said her, and her husband would call their friends and family each weekend to help with harvest while they had no machinery or proper vineyard knowledge. “It’s a great block because of its location, its altitude, its rich vessels and the great airflow,” she said. Realising the couple were not going to make a sufficient income by selling their products to other brands, they decided to create their own cellar door experience. Using an existing shed on the block, which was constructed more than 150 years ago, the couple “pay their respects” to the older generation of Orange back when the shed used to a mixed development and featured a post office and a pub. “We tried to retire back in 2009,” Mrs Stivens laughed, saying they “wanted to give it another go” and possibly “take a slower pace at life” while sipping wines in Europe. “I am sad to see it go but I know that it’s time. “We’ve worked really hard – we’re tired and it’s time for some fresh blood to come in and take it to that next step.” Mrs Stivens acknowledged there “is a lot more opportunity” in the property like stay accommodation, concerts, functions and a full-time restaurant. “There’s definitely room for it to grow but it just needs some fresh blood and younger bodies,” she said. After 10 vintages, various wine and tourism awards, Mr and Mrs Stivens will be concluding operations at the end of August.

Geelong’s National Hotel is on the market with owner James Ramia looking to sell the leasehold to the Moorabool St institution. The three-level pub offers a huge 500sq m of floorspace, including the ground floor public bar, a first floor dining room and a rooftop beer garden. CBRE’s Mathew George is managing the sale of the business, with a price guide of between $400,000 and $500,000.

Freehold investors have listed for sale a 145-year-old Queenscliff pub on the town’s waterfront with price hopes above $6m. The freehold to the Queenscliff Brewhouse is offered by expressions of interest after the owners secured a new five-year lease with the tenants, Otway Brewing Group. The pub, which was previously known as the Esplanade Hotel, is at 2 Gellibrand St, Queenscliff, metres from Princess Park, jetty and Searoad Ferry terminal. Colliers Geelong director Andrew Lewis said the substantial two-storey building is securely leased to Otway Brewing Group, which is running multiple successful venues across the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast, offering its patrons several brands produced in its brewery and distillery.