Sydney entrepreneur Justin Hemmes has announced that Merivale will open its first Melbourne venue this year. 

The Merivale Group made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, revealing that they had purchased an 1850’s brick and bluestone building on Flinders Lane. 

The seven-story brick and bluestone building, known as Tomasetti House, situated at 277 Flinders Lane in the Melbourne CBD. 

The hospitality group operates more than 80 venues across Sydney, including the Ivy precinct, Mr Wong, Mimi’s, Totti’s and the Coogee Pavilion. 

The $40-million-plus acquisition in Melbourne’s chic Flinders Lane precinct is Hemmes first property in Melbourne and only the second outside of Sydney. 

The venue represents the realisation of Mr Hemmes’ long-held desire to expand Merivale into Melbourne. 

“Melbourne is a very special city, with a unique energy and an inimitable soul,” said the Merivale owner in a statement. “Its local hospitality industry is one of the best in the world… We are honoured to open our first venue in Melbourne and cannot wait to work alongside so many local industry greats.”

Hemmes also noted that Melbourne’s CBD had “suffered terribly” during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are committed to doing everything we can to help reinvigorate the city and support it in its road to recovery,” he said. 

Merivale will receive the keys to the Tomasetti House property at 277 Flinders Lane later in the year. Stay tuned for further details.