Ex-footballer buys historic pub from landlord

The Smith Steet pub as the Robert Burns Hotel.
Only Hospitality Group rebranded the venue Hotel Collingwood in 2021.

EXCLUSIVE

Three years after buying the leasehold to the inner-city pub then known as the Robert Burns Hotel, Julien Moussi has snapped up the freehold.

The $3.8 million off-market deal for 376 Smith Street, on the south east corner of Easey, Collingwood, reflects a 4.63 per cent yield.

The landlord paid $100,000 in April, 1983.

JLL’s Will Connolly brokered the latest sale.

Improvements coming

Mr Moussi, an ex-VFL footballer and founder of Inglewood Coffee Roasters, had 13 years left on the 376 Smith St leasehold.

Via Only Hospitality Group, he acquired that component from long-time operator Gerry Nass (story continues below).

In mid-2021, the c427 sqm double storey c1860s venue was rebranded Hotel Collingwood.

Julien Moussi acquired an ex-McKinnon milk bar two years ago.

With the freehold purchase – covering 418 square metres – OHG plans to “evolve” the pub.

Mr Moussi has a track record buying prominent suburban retail assets to convert to cafes then selling them with leasebacks.

In late 2022, the hospitality executive outlaid $1.16m for an ex-milk bar in south east McKinnon.

The year before he collected $1.52m offloading the ex-Vermont General Store as a coffee shop.

Collingwood is two kilometres north east of Melbourne’s CBD.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.