Van Haandel Sniffing Around Chapel Street?
Sources are connecting Mr Van Haandel to a potential $15 million purchase of the Railway Hotel in Windsor, one of the only premises in the area to have a 24-hour, 7-day a week liquor serving licence.
As part of the unexpected split last year, Frank retained control of the Stokehouse, the CBD’s Comme restaurant and Mr Tulk near the State Library, which he runs with his son Peter. Brother Frank retained the $25 million Prince of Wales Hotel, Circa nearby, the Carousel in Albert Park and Longrain in the CBD.
Capital Gain tried to contact Mr Van Haandel for a comment however he was not available. A spokeswoman for the owners of the hotel, who were not available, said she wasn’t aware the property was for sale.
Local rumour has it however investor interest in the Railway has been strong ever since last year, when the Cornerstone Group bought the Lucky Coq bar nearby.
One source said Mr Van Haandel is not in the habit of paying big numbers for restaurants, when he’s had so much success developing them from scratch.
As part of the Van Haandel hospitality empire, the Netherlands-born brothers built an enviable pub, restaurant and hotel portfolio worth more than $100 million. The Melbourne-based pair are responsible for the redevelopment ten years ago of the Prince of Wales in Fitzroy Street, and the Stokehouse on Jacka Boulevard, both in St Kilda.
