The Speakeasy Group has announced its most ambitious project to date, as it looks to help drive the revival of Sydney’s CBD with the redevelopment of two floors of Beneficial House at Brookfield Place in Sydney.
Speakeasy will bring speakeasy cocktail bar Eau-de-Vie back to Sydney in the basement of Beneficial House, while the first floor will be transformed into a brand-new restaurant concept, The Sanderson.
Owned and operated by Sven Almenning and Greg Sanderson, The Speakeasy Group operates seven bars and restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne.
Speaking about bringing Eau-de-Vie back to Sydney, Greg said: “Eau-de-Vie is like our first child, we just have so much love for it. We looked long and hard to secure the new location, but the wait will be worth it. We are positive that George St and Beneficial House is the perfect new home for Eau-de-Vie Sydney 2.0.”
Sven added: “We’re not reinventing the concept by any means. Eau de Vie will always be about awesome innovative and theatrical cocktails, paired with world-class service and of course a wide-ranging whisky collection to rival any specialist whisky bar as well.
“Completely befitting the historical bones of Beneficial House, the new iteration will bring the same dimly lit, jazz-infused atmosphere that’s synonymous with the Eau-de-Vie brand, including intimate booths, the signature Whisky Room, an enormous back bar, and private whisky lockers to be pre-sold at the end of 2022.”
The concept for The Sanderson is a steak and oyster restaurant specialising in quality Australian meat, local oysters, world-class cocktails and a highly-curated wine offering. The venue is named after Greg as a symbol of family, friendship and celebration.
Greg said: “The Sanderson will bring together the many elements of ‘celebration’ that we ourselves love to enjoy with our friends and family.
“We really do see Beneficial House becoming a destination that our guests can spend an entire evening within. Aperitif cocktails at Eau-de-Vie, upstairs to The Sanderson for an amazing dinner, and then back downstairs for a whisky nightcap.”
Both fit outs are being designed by Speakeasy Group’s long-time collaborators Studio Y, responsible for Nick & Nora’s, Boilermaker House, Mjølner Melbourne and more recently Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters.
The Speakeasy Group has committed to lease 618 square metres of space at Beneficial House on a 10-year term with plans to open its new concept in early 2023.
Danny Poljak, Executive Vice President and Co-Head for Brookfield Properties Australia, said: “The Speakeasy Group’s unique bar and restaurant offering will bring an excellent addition to our food and beverage mix at Brookfield Place Sydney and will contribute significantly to activating the precinct’s nightlife.”
Both Speakeasy Group venues at Beneficial House will be accessed via the same speakeasy-style entrance on Wynyard Lane, opposite Shell House.
