Boutique Sydney-based hospitality group step into Forresters Hotel, Surry Hills in a long-term lease negotiated by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s Vice President, Kate MacDonald and Ari Danas of Danas Property.
JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group is proud to have assisted the successful Sydney-based hospitality group, ‘Applejack’ into their first pub in four years.
After working together in the late 2000s with former leading pub operators, National Liquor Group (NLG), Ben and Hamish decided upon a slightly different path, opening what would become a total of seven bar/restaurants and two cafes in and around Sydney. Venues such as ‘The Butler’ Potts Point, ‘The Botanist’ Kirribilli and more recently ‘Bopp & Tone’ in Sydney’s CBD have helped shape our city’s F&B scene over the past nine years.
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Located on Foveaux Street in bustling Surry Hills, The Forresters was once living proof that big suburban corner pubs in Sydney need not rely upon the gaming dollar for long-term viability. Experiencing large volumes of trade under the tutelage of the Drink ‘n’ Dine Group prior to Dixon Hospitality Group (now Australian Venue Co.) taking over, The Forresters has always commanded keen interest from the social set of Sydney.
“We are pumped to be undertaking this new project. It is an iconic Sydney pub that has endured a mixed identity over the past few years. The Forresters represents our first pub opening since Endeavour Tap Rooms in 2016. Our goal is to deliver a community-centric watering hole with an Applejack twist. In these uncertain times, we wanted to diversify our group with a more casual offering in a truly special Sydney Suburb”, said the new owners.
The long-term lease was negotiated by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s Vice President, Kate MacDonald, alongside commercial real estate agent, Ari Danas of Danas Property.
“Our client set out to attract a long-term tenant with a quantifiable background of success in the food and beverage industry. Ben, Hamish and their team at Applejack were the ideal candidate, however the deal required some maneuvering to help achieve a mutual agreement in these uncertain times”, commented MacDonald.
Kate from JLL helped broker an intricate deal with reduced risk through the pandemic and a long lease that will see Applejacks home in Surry Hills for many years to come. At times when negotiations took a stumble, Kate massaged both parties to meet at common ground.
“JLL are fielding daily enquiries from hoteliers of all levels looking for new opportunities nationwide. Despite COVID-19 and the unknown future impact on our industry, there are certainly ways in which solid deals can be struck which benefit all parties through creative thinking, and a personal understanding of the buyer’s and seller’s ultimate goal”, added MacDonald.
Applejack plan to relaunch The Forresters after a major renovation and with a brand-new offering some time in the coming months, so be sure to follow them on social media to stay updated.
JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group will be announcing another Sydney leasehold sale in the coming weeks.
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