Iconic Wollongong hotel snapped up by Epochal Hotels
The Scarborough Hotel in Wollongong has been acquired by Glenn Piper’s newly established Epochal Hotels.
The iconic hotel has stood in the Illawarra district for 138 years and the sale marks the first time in 40 years that it has changed hands.
Epochal Hotels purchased the property from WIN Corporation for $9.5 million, with WIN turning its focus fully to its media and investment businesses.
The Scarborough Hotel sits on 3900sqm of prime oceanfront land and is the oldest licensed premises in the City of Wollongong.
“The Scarborough Hotel stands as a rare gem among Australian pubs, boasting an expansive outdoor area, unparalleled beer garden views, and a rich and storied history,” Piper said.
“This is a deeply meaningful project for us; we want to deliver something truly special here, an experience that befits its spectacular location, reflects the pub’s stature and resonates deeply with the community.”
The latest acquisition is another notch in Epochal Hotels’ belt, with the team snapping up east coast venues since 2019 including Freshwater’s Harbord Hotel, Newcastle’s Merewether Beach Hotel, North Sydney’s Commodore Hotel, Q Station on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Hook Island in the Whitsundays.
“Our mission is simple: to uncover unique local institutions and the collective memories buried within communities. As a team, we’re fuelled by the desire to build on or revive local pride in places we genuinely believe are incomparable,” Piper told Drinks Digest.
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd April 2024
