Jerry Schwartz expands hotel empire with Rose Bay acquisitions
Hotel owner Dr Jerry Schwartz is expanding his hotel empire by purchasing Sydney Seaplanes and Empire Lounge at Rose Bay.
Schwartz, who is already a one-third partner in Sydney Seaplanes and is Australia’s largest private hotel owner, decided to buy out the remaining shares to have more control of its overall direction.
“We want this to be a destination,” he said.
“It’s unique to have an airport in the middle of the Harbour. It’s an unbelievable location.”
Schwartz plans to relaunch the site’s waterfront restaurant Empire as Sydney Seaplanes Lounge. He will personally oversee flight experiences, while wife Debbie will take charge of the new food and beverage offering.
Former Rockpool and Merivale chef, Natali Mikailoglu will join the Scwartz family from The Boathouse Group to head up the kitchen, with the menu to focus on locally sourced seafood. It will include a Thai-style barramundi curry, Mediterranean pan-fried snapper with sweet baby sugar plum tomato and Sicilian olives, and seafood spaghetti with calamari, muscles and prawns.
The venue has also upgraded its cocktail and drinks menu.
The acquisition puts Schwartz in direct competition with Merivale’s Justin Hemmes, with Merivale set to take over RSL Club Rose Bay.
“I’ve always believed in healthy competition … my view is that it helps you improve and also you help each other out,” Dr Schwartz said.
“I think it’s extremely positive that Hemmes has taken over Club Rose Bay. Along with Catalina it helps make it a precinct and then we are the icing on the cake.”
Seaplanes has a storied history, with the restaurant first serving as a luxury waiting lounge for the aircraft taking off and landing in the 1930s.
Dr Schwartz owns 15 hotels including Sofitel Darling Harbour and the Fairmont Blue Mountains as well as Sydney Brewery.
Jonathan Jackson, 4th February 2025
