Property developer and fashion entrepreneur Theo Onisforou has played a pivotal role in defeating a proposal to close Paddington’s historic Village Inn and convert it into a fashion store.
The NSW Land and Environment Court dismissed the application by Alemais founders Chris Buchanan and Lesleigh Jermanus, who sought to repurpose the 1854-built pub they purchased for $6.22 million in 2022. Senior Commissioner Susan Dixon ruled the proposed change of use was not in the public interest, noting a lack of evidence that the pub was unviable.
Onisforou, founder of The Intersection and landlord to high-end brands like Zimmermann and Scanlan Theodore, was a vocal opponent in the case. Describing the pub as a “longstanding, vibrant addition” to the area, he declared, “I would buy it in a heartbeat.”
The proposal faced overwhelming community opposition, with 236 objections compared to just three in support. Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and local residents also spoke out against the plan.
Buchanan and Jermanus had argued the pub’s closure would leave the property unused, claiming the existing business was unsustainable despite its $2.35 million annual revenue. However, Woollahra Council’s legal team successfully countered these claims, securing a judgment in favour of preserving the Village Inn’s legacy.
The Village Inn, originally known as the Rose and Crown, is one of Paddington’s oldest surviving pubs.
Source: realcommercial.com.au
