The Lansdowne Hotel has been thrown a line by Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory (OAF); saving the Chippendale live music venue.
There were fears about the future of the venue when the previous owners, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham of Mary’s Group, announced they would be ending their time at the venue in early February.
The pair originally reopened the pub in 2017, two years after it shut its doors in 2015. They cited a disagreement with the landlord for the end of their tenure at the venue earlier this year.
Their time at The Lansdowne was set to end in April, however, gigs have been playing all throughout May, sparking hope that the venue would live on.
Then a grandiose message appeared on the front signage of the beloved live music venue.
“NEW MANAGEMENT, LIVE MUSIC IS HERE TO STAY.”
Renovations have already begun by its new owners and TimeOut reported that the OAF crew has reached an agreement with the building owners, halting the original plans to close the building down.
In a statement, Mark Gerber, the founder and CEO of the Oxford Art Factory said: “Sydney doesn’t need to lose any more live music venues; it has suffered enough.
“The lockout laws and Covid-19 have severely impacted a once flourishing and vibrant nightlife, and I wasn’t going to let yet another music venue fall by the wayside, not on my watch!”
“Lansdowne has played a hugely important role in the careers of many of our greatest music stars who have conquered the world.
“The Lansdowne is rejuvenated and continues to give voice to emerging and established artists and musicians.”
