O’Brien Group Australia acquires landmark Melbourne hotel

The purchase of Melbourne’s landmark Imperial Hotel by the O’Brien Group, Australia’s largest family-owned venue management and hospitality company, has secured the historic site against potential residential and commercial development.

The O’Brien Group Australia purchased the Imperial Hotel, on the blue-chip corner of Bourke and Spring Streets, Melbourne, in May for $11.45million at auction in bidding against active developers and overseas investors.

The two-storey brick-and-bluestone Imperial Hotel, built in 1858, stands on a 450 metre²

site directly opposite the Victorian Parliament. It is a classic Melbourne hotel, and has long been a famous watering hole for politicians, journalists, artists and business people. It also attracts a sports crowd, with screening of live sports events from around the globe with its unique 24-hour licence.

O’Brien Group Australia has confirmed it will retain the site’s existing use as an operating hotel, with no long-term plans to redevelop or on-sell the site.

O’Brien Group Australia’s Director Michael Xavier O’Brien, said he was drawn to the hotel due to its premium location at the ‘top end of town’, and its heritage appeal.

O’Brien stated “the Imperial Hotel celebrates the essence of Melbourne, without being cemented in tradition; it is a living reference to Melbourne’s glory days.

“There are few other hotels in the Melbourne CBD with such a rich history and story to tell.”

The Imperial Hotel joins the O’Brien Group’s growing hospitality and leisure portfolio which includes 15 major venues throughout Australia and New Zealand.

In 2013 the O’Brien Group added the Cumberland Lorne Resort to its stable, and last year won the contract to manage the Medibank Icehouse facility in Melbourne’s Docklands.

O’Brien added “As a business we identify venues that align with our brand, passion and business model to own and operate sites that entertain our customers.

“We are one of Australia’s largest stadium operators. We continue to enter into and acquire venue management agreements in which we provide a comprehensive suite of integrated services, including ticketing, sponsorship rights, marketing and food and beverage operations – full scale venue management.”

Click here for more information on the O’Brien Group Australia.

1st July 2015 - MAJOR UPGRADE SET TO COMMENCE AT AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER ICE SPORTS VENUE