Restaurateur Chris Lucas continues to build property empire
Restaurateur Chris Lucas continues to build his property empire and now has his sights set on a venue behind the famed Windsor Hotel in Melbourne.
The venue is in a laneway at the back of 19-29 Bourke Street and would add to properties including Society on Collins Street and Hotel Sorrento.
The opportunity arose after the City of Melbourne advertised the proposed discontinuance of the 35 square-metre lane.
The purchase price is $725,000. The property abuts his recently purchased 27 Windsor Place laneway property.
Meanwhile, the insides of 19-29 Bourke Street has been gutted and the lane roped off as part of the extensive $10 million-plus development.
The Lucas Group is yet to reveal the plans for the property and how the buildings might connect.
Lucas has a love for Bourke St property. During the pandemic he took over the former Society restaurant at 23-29 Bourke for $7.2 million and its neighbour at No.19-21 for which he paid $5.9 million. All up, the group has 558 square metres of prized Bourke Hill land that totals $19.61 million.
The group also holds 175 Flinders Lane, where Lucas’ restaurant Kisume lives.
In other property news, The Buxton Group has purchased the popular Marine Hotel in Brighton for $22.65 million.
Buxton Group managing director Samantha Buxton said “It is early days and we are currently exploring various options for the site, including retaining its historical use in some way.”
The property sits on a large 4670 square-metre site near the beach.
Finally, award-winning boutique Bellarine Peninsula vineyard the Terindah Estate, is on the market for more than $15 million.
It includes multiple dining, entertaining and wedding spaces with CBD views across the bay.
Jonathan Jackson, 23rd April 2024
