Overview
Any self-respecting Melbourne foodie has knelt at the food altar that is Chin Chin. Now Sydneysiders will be able to feast on celebrated Melburnian Thai excellence; Chin Chin has found itself a permanent home in Sydney. After announcing the search for a Sydney spot last April, it appears the restaurant has picked a rather dramatic spot to arrive in — by taking over the ground floor of the Griffiths Teas building on the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, right near Central Station.
Chin Chin has been planning on a Sydney expansion for a while now. Back in April 2014, owner Chris Lucas told Good Food he was seeking the right spot. "We are looking for an old building," he said. "I’m surprised how many beautiful, old buildings Sydney has."
After plenty of Sydney artist collectives, hospitality groups and property developers had their eye firmly on it, the Griffiths Teas building went up for sale last year. The Cornerstone Property Group bought it from Isaac and Susan Wakil for a cool $22 million. Cornerstone's plan is to turn the upper floors into New York loft-style apartments and give Chin Chin the street level. The property group has a thing for transforming former industrial buildings into contemporary residential and retail premises, having revamped the ex-Classic sportswear factory on Cleveland Street into an apartment block, making $37 million in the process. They also bought adjacent properties, 119-121 Kippax Street and 10-14 Waterloo Street, in 2014.
Apparently Chin Chin’s Sydney escapade is still being finalised, but an architect has been employed. Watch this space.
Via Good Food.