Sydney publican faces early demolition of historic pub
A Sydney publican who spent millions renovating a heritage-listed CBD hotel on the strength of council advice is now facing demolition seven years ahead of schedule, after the City of Sydney fast-tracked Lord Mayor Clover Moore's contentious Town Hall Square project.
John Azar took over the licence of the Hotel Coronation, a 1930-built pub on Park Street popular with city shift workers, in 2023. This was the same year council officers had advised the project should not begin before 2035.
On that basis, Azar invested "a couple of million" dollars into renovating the five-storey venue. However, council voted last May to accelerate the square's delivery so construction could begin before Moore's term as Lord Mayor ends in 2028, leaving the Coronation and six other buildings on the George, Park and Pitt streets block earmarked for early demolition.
Azar told the The Daily Telegraph he felt let down by the council's public assurances that it was supporting affected tenants through the transition, saying: "I like working here, I like the people." He said his experience, and that of other operators on the block, didn't match the council's messaging. A City of Sydney spokesman responded that the council was committed to assisting businesses where possible and had shown interested tenants alternative properties in its portfolio, but conceded it did not have a suitable space to offer the Coronation, and confirmed its lease includes a clause allowing early termination.
The redevelopment has also put Woolworths in the spotlight as it is based in a 1929 art deco building on the same block. At a council meeting last week, councillor Zann Maxwell pushed for staff to keep working with the supermarket giant to secure it alternative CBD premises. Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller questioned that approach, pointing to high vacancy rates across the CBD, while no similar support was raised for other affected tenants, including the Coronation.
Azar argued the site sits on one of the most valuable retail corners in the southern hemisphere and accused the council of wasting ratepayer funds, calling for state government intervention to protect local jobs. A Coronation staff member told the paper she feared losing her job and felt the decision-makers didn't see the impact on workers. Moore did not speak at last week's meeting but has previously defended the project, saying residents and businesses "have to accommodate themselves to changed circumstances" as the city pursues major redevelopment.
Jonathan Jackson, 2nd September 2026
