Southern Highlands' Briars Country Lodge awaits new owner as it nears 200 years

653 Moss Vale Road, Burradoo
Expressions of Interest close Thursday, June 22

A significant piece of Southern Highlands hospitality heritage is now looking for new owners to take it into its second century, just 10 years away.

The Briars Country Lodge and Historic Inn can date its beginnings back to 1827 when it began life as a coaching inn, built by William Bowan, and it later became the Royal Oak Inn in 1845.

After many incarnations, it served as an art school for the Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School between 1958-1974 before once again reverting to its hospitality heritage.

The inn was renovated in 1979 to provide additional dining space to accompany intimate bars and private dining rooms. In the late 1980s, new luxury accommodation, gardens and recreational amenities were added.

The Briars Country Lodge includes a licensed hotel, function rooms and accommodation and sits on a site area of nearly four hectares.

It comprises 31 fully appointed suites, a guest lounge with open fireplace and lakeside conservatory – catering for special occasions, functions and conferences. All guest rooms offer ensuites with baths and split level sitting rooms with french doors opening onto the gardens and lake. Interconnecting rooms are also available.

Gerry Quinlan, of Manenti Quinlan & Associates, says the Briars Country Lodge is a local favourite as well as drawing guests from near and far.

“It’s got loads of character – cosy bars, open fires, a restaurant, two private dining rooms and alfresco dining area on the terrace or deck,” he says.

“The value of the property is underpinned by two long-term fully secured commercial triple net leases.”

The net rental at July 1, 2017, is $888,933 per annum.

Manenti Quinlan & Associates are marketing the property with Cooper Hotel Brokers.

Quinlan expects local, interstate and international competition for the site, particularly from Asia. “While Asian investors continue their love affair with Australia they now see Sydney as just another busy city,” he says.

“They are looking for trophy properties and lifestyle experiences in quality regional locations. This is evidenced by their recent acquisitions of vineyards and hospitality properties.”

Quinlan says its international division recently sold 11 hospitality properties across Newcastle, the Mid North coast, the Hunter Valley, and the South coast.

“Recently, there has been a stampede of investors heading to the Southern Highlands,” he says.

“We expect that enthusiasm will continue with the sale of The Briars.”

Inspect: Contact agents, Gerry Quinlan, John Manenti, Manenti Quinlan & Associates, 0408 968 718, 0402 872 640 and Glenn Cooper, Cooper Hotel Brokers, 0417 044 506.

Who’s in the market: The hospitality hotspot is expected to attract local, interstate and international interest, particularly from Asia.