High end restaurateur makes two more Melbourne property plays
Chris Lucas has made two more Melbourne CBD property plays.
In the east end, the restaurateur is is paying about $14 million for the c1911 Maria George building at 179-181 Flinders Lane (pictured, top).
The vacant five storey 1308 square metre brick warehouse converted commercial asset neighbours 175 Flinders Ln, part occupied by the executive’s Kisume, which Mr Lucas bought last year for $23.5m.
Both properties were divested by Jackalope Hotel founder Louis Lu who it was speculated intended to connect and repurpose them as a guesthouse longer term.
Cushman & Wakefield’s Daniel Wolman, Oliver Hay and Leon Ma were the agents.
Cbus tower
Meanwhile Mr Lucas has committed to two brasseries in the lower level hospitality precinct of Cbus’ 435 Bourke St office, which is under construction.
All up covering 1300 sqm, one will serve Chinese, the other Mediterranean.
The 52 storey building will contain 64,500 sqm, 116 car parks, several landscaped open-air or mixed-mode terraces and a skygarden (story continues below).
Due for completion in 2026, it is also replacing properties formerly known as 140 and 150 Queen St and 27 McKillop.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia last year committed to be the anchor – with some 15,000 sqm.
In March meanwhile, Baker & McKenzie leased three floors – 3600 sqm.
Mr Lucas rents spaces at offices 80 Collins St and 101 Collins St too.
Again in Melbourne, last year, he paid Golden Age Group $13m for a Little Collins St strata office, for a headquarters.
The executive is also fitting out the old Society restaurant, which he owns, at 23 Bourke St, as a French eatery, Batard.
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