Overview
Merivale is expanding faster than our belts can handle. Justin Hemmes' heaving hospitality empire has announced the acquisition of the newest member of the Merivale family: the Newport Arms Hotel.
A Northern move for the city-dominant group after their Coogee Pavilion gamble more than paid off, Merivale's acquisition of the Pittwater hotel is a bold decision for Hemmes — and one that explains why he didn't jump on the recent sale of the Manly Pavilion. A landmark property of the Northern Beaches since 1880, the Newport Arms will be officially in Merivale hands from May 2015 — and we actually can't wait to see what Merivale do with the place.
“The Newport Arms is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most iconic pubs," says Hemmes. "It is a spectacular property in a beautiful location and holds a very special place in the hearts of locals. Assets as unique as the Newport Arms deserve to be celebrated; we cannot wait to join the community."
Touting Australia's largest outdoor waterfront beer garden, the Arms is a major steal for Merivale. Following the undeniable success of the Coogee Pavilion and its Rooftop, it's likely Merivale will capitalise on the beachbound nature of the site and find a new summery theme for the hotel, overlooking Bayview, Church Point, Scotland Island and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Perhaps Hemmes will dive into the history of the place; the Arms saw boatloads of day-trippers in the 1890s (including drunken pushes — or gangs), was a tidal swimming pool in '32, had the largest beer quota of any hotel in Sydney in ’54, had weekly jazz nights in the saloon bar in the ‘70s, was a regular shoot location for Home and Away in the ‘90s and has had its fair share of looting and fires over the years. There's something to be said for the Arms, it sure stands the test of time.
With the Northern Beaches famous for its polarised dining scene (hatted on one end, kiosk on the other) there's plenty of room for mid-range dining options like Palm Beach's Cranky Fins Holidae Inn in the area; a probable direction for Merivale. Further details and plans will be announced by Merivale in the coming months, but we're guessing this spells bad news for the locally-loved Terrace on Pittwater restaurant inside the pub. Ah well.