Justin Hemmes Buys in Belongil

Justin Hemmes is the second generation of the fashion, retail, and hospitality family behind the Merivale brand. Last year he purchased the commercial site in Jonson Street, formerly home to the Cheeky Monkey nightclub. This is soon intended to be a top-end Italian restaurant – much to the consternation of restauranteur Laurie Rose who runs The Italian across the road.

Hemmes, a billionaire known as the ‘Bar Tzar’ for his extensive hotel and restaurant holdings, has now bought a two-bedroom beachfront on Belongil Beach. It is a double block on 1922 M2 and is rumoured to have sold for around $17 mil.

The property last traded in late 2012 for $2.77 million when purchased by a company trust ultimately owned and controlled by Steven Hains. The sale sets a beachfront record for the North Coast. The deal was believed to be brokered by Sotheby’s who have recently opened an office in town.