FROM international musicians and superstars to tranny trivia nights, Darlinghurst’s historic hotel Kinselas on Taylor Square has always been THE place to be.
Now, the multi-level Art Deco hotel has new owners after Australian Pub Fund — run by media guru John Singleton, former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon and investment banker Mark Carnegie — sold it for an undisclosed amount believed to be around the $23 million mark.
Agent Andrew Jolliffe, of Ray White Asia Pacific Director of Hotels, said the iconic establishment just off Oxford St is a part of Sydney’s history.
“Kinselas is situated in a hugely popular, and always vibrant inner-city precinct of Australia’s gateway city,” Mr Jolliffe said.
“Since its inception as a hotel in 1910, Kinselas has been a very popular entertainment magnet and a mainstay upon Sydney’s hospitality landscape.”
The sale notches up a total of six pubs sold by APF this year including Newtown’s Marlborough Hotel.
The Newtown pub sold for more than $30 million in March.
Apart from a popular music venue and dining and watering hole, Kinselas has a colourful past.
It was once a funeral parlour and the headquarters of Charles Kinsela, an undertaker from 1933 until 1982.
The new owners, Universal Hotels, is a multi-generational family owned business run by Jim Kospetas and his sons Harris and Steven.
The purchase of Kinselas adds to the family’s stable of CBD pubs and restaurants including the Civic Hotel, V Bar, Hotel Downing and the high end Greek restaurant 1821 in Martin Place.
Meanwhile, APF have just two remaining Sydney assets — the Unity Hall in Balmain and the Vic on the Park in Marrickville.
They also own the Stock Exchange and Elephant Arms, in Brisbane.