Major blow for celebrity chef Matt Moran and one of Sydney's richest families as they are forced out of iconic Sydney venue in move that has stunned insiders
In a shock shake-up that's sent ripples through Sydney's hospitality scene, the Sydney Opera House has handed the lucrative Opera Bar contract to rising player Applejack for the next decade - despite Solotel's widely praised stewardship of the venue.
Applejack, an industry underdog, launched in 2011 and has since built a trendy stable of Sydney hotspots, including Bopp & Tone, The Butler and RAFI.
The group threw its hat into the fiercely competitive tender ring to run the Opera House and House Canteen venues in November last year, and against the odds, came out on top.
Meanwhile, Solotel, which boasts an even bigger portfolio of star venues like Aria, Chiswick, Barangaroo House, and the Golden Sheaf, was left empty-handed, marking the end of an era running the Opera Bar.
Perched at the base of the Sydney Opera House, Opera Bar and the neighbouring House Canteen are considered Sydney's most prized hospitality assets, thanks to their jaw-dropping harbour views.
For more than two decades, Mr Moran and Solotel founder Bruce Solomon transformed Opera Bar into an iconic Sydney destination, drawing locals, tourists and celebrities alike.
Their reign has come to a dramatic close.
The Solotel empire now sits under the watch of Bruce Solomon's son, Elliott, who was appointed CEO in 2021.
Elliot Solomon is married to Miki Hendler, the granddaughter of billionaire property developer Harry Triguboff.
Mr Triguboff is one of the most wealthy men in Australia with an estimated worth of $20billion.
The heiress works for the family business, Meriton, and together with her husband, are involved in hospitality groups which have a combined net worth of millions of dollars.
Solotel has also had a long partnership with Matt Moran after the celebrity chef merged his company, MorSol, with the group in 2016.
On its website, the group boasts Moran as 'one of Australia's most renowned and recognised chefs' who has been a 'champion of seasonal and local produce'.
Despite the upset over Opera Bar, the key players struck a gracious tone.
In a joint statement, Mr Moran, Mr Solomon and Opera Bar general manager John Gallas said they were proud of their long association, even as the partnership ended.
'We had a vision to democratise the [Opera House] for the people, making the space approachable and fun,' the statement read.
'We set out to create a place that celebrated Sydney, its harbour, and its people, and that is exactly what Opera Bar has become.
'It has been our privilege to … help shape such an iconic part of the city with a bar that is loved by Sydney and the world.'
Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer Jade McKellar thanked Solotel, Matt Moran, and General Manager John Gallas for successfully running the venues.
'The Solotel team has been instrumental to the success of these iconic Sydney venues, creating unforgettable experiences for locals and tourists over decades and contributing to the vitality of Sydney's hospitality scene,' Ms McKellar said.
'We're incredibly proud of what we've delivered together over this long-standing partnership.
'We thank them for their significant contribution and acknowledge their lasting legacy.'
Ms McKellar added the Opera House was 'thrilled' to appoint Applejack to run the harbourside venues.
'We were delighted by the exceptional standard of the submissions received, with Applejack's detailing a compelling, vibrant vision for this community space that thousands of locals and visitors enjoy every year,' Ms McKellan said.
'There's nothing quite like the Opera House, and I'm looking forward to working with Applejack to make the most of this tremendous opportunity.'
Applejack co-founders Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts said winning the tender was a 'dream come true for our entire team'.
'To be entrusted as custodians of venues at the Sydney Opera House – the world's most iconic cultural stage – is both humbling and inspiring,' they said in a statement.
'We can't wait to share the exciting new concepts we've developed for both locals and visitors while honouring this extraordinary location.'
The last time the Opera Bar was up for tender was in 2014, when it sparked a legal battle between Solotel and owner of the now-closed restaurant Hugos in Potts Point.
Mr Evans accused an architect of leaking his plans and claimed the Sydney Opera House Trust had given Solotel an unfair advantage when it allowed the group a second submission after the deadline.
Both the architect and the Opera House Trust denied the accusations, however Evans' legal action against the trust continued and reached the courts in 2018.
A judge ordered the parties to go to mediation and in November, last year, Evans and the Opera House had reached a confidential settlement.
Applejack's contract for the Opera Bar will begin in mid-September and will take over the House Canteen in mid-November, with refurbishments set to start in 2026.
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