Merivale (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Hospitality, Real estate |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Founder | John Hemmes, Merivale Hemmes |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Primarily Sydney, New South Wales; also Victoria |
Key people | Justin Hemmes (leader since mid-1990s) |
| Products | Pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, hospitality real estate |
| Owner | Privately owned |
Merivale is a privately owned Australian enterprise with investments in entertainment and hospitality real estate, predominantly located in Sydney, New South Wales.
Early fashion era
Established in 1957 by John and Merivale Hemmes as a millinery business within Sydney's Boulevard Arcade, Merivale soon broadened its scope to include apparel. The inaugural House of Merivale fashion outlet was launched in 1959 at the Theatre Royal on Castlereagh Street. Over time, it evolved into a prominent high-fashion retail chain with multiple locations throughout Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
Expansion into hospitality and property
Merivale ventured into the hospitality and real estate sectors by purchasing the Angel Hotel property on Pitt Street, which featured a restaurant transformed into a boutique—this acquisition marked the beginning of its property holdings.
During the early 1990s, the company redirected its focus toward hospitality, inaugurating the Merivale restaurant in Potts Point and ceasing all fashion retail operations by 1996.
In the mid-1990s, leadership passed to Justin Hemmes, who significantly grew Merivale’s hospitality portfolio to encompass more than 70 pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants primarily throughout Sydney by 2020. Noteworthy properties under their management include Hotel CBD, Newport Arms Hotel, and Slip Inn. The acquisition of the Lorne Hotel in Victoria for AUD 38 million in 2021 further expanded their presence beyond New South Wales.
In 2019, Merivale was subject to a AUD 129 million class action lawsuit alleging unpaid overtime wages for roughly 14,000 workers between 2013 and 2019 for hours exceeding 38 per week. The company contested these allegations. However, in March 2021, the Federal Court ruled unfavorably toward Merivale concerning the legitimacy of the WorkChoices agreement. By March 2024, Merivale consented to an AUD 18 million settlement without admitting liability; approximately half of this amount covered legal expenses and litigation fees, while around AUD 9.4 million was designated for impacted employees.
See also
- Royal Hotel, Bondi – a significant asset within Merivale’s collection