Mark Gerber, CEO and Founder of Oxford Art Factory, has stepped in to save legendary live music venue, The Lansdowne Hotel.
In February, it was announced that the Mary’s Group, the then operators of the Lansdowne Hotel would exit the lease, following plans to transform the upstairs gig space into hotel accommodation.
The announcement prompted fears that Sydney was about to lose another of its most prominent live music venues, after lockdowns and lock-outs had spelled the end for several of the city’s gigging spots.
Initially it was said that live music at the Lansdowne would conclude in April, but after gigs continued throughout May, rumours began to swirl that the venue’s obituaries may have been premature.
Now, Mark Gerber, Founder of Darlinghurst’s Oxford Arts Factory (OAF), has confirmed that he and his team will be taking over the operation of the Lansdowne.
“Oxford Art Factory can confirm the rumours,” the OAF team stated.
“We are pleased to announce that we have agreed with the owners to put aside any plans that could see the demise of this iconic venue of Sydney and Australia’s live music and arts scene.”
Mark also offered comment, explaining why he felt personally motivated to take over the Lansdowne.
“I wasn’t about to let yet another music venue fall by the wayside, not on my watch,” Mark 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.”
Mark was also keen to communicate the wider importance of music venues.
“Live Music venues are an originator of creativity. They give identity that we can be proud of and take to the world.”
“Losing music and entertainment venues impacts business communities, our culture, and future generations,” he commented.
As part of the takeover, the OAF team have announced a ‘much-needed facelift’ for the Lansdowne, and stated that renovations have already begun – with floor plans agreed upon and contractors engaged. A new management team has also been hired.
Alongside physical improvements to ‘all the amenities’, including bathrooms and the AV equipment, OAF said that a new bar and food offering will be developed.
The Lansdowne Hotel dates back to 1925, and has been in its current iteration since 1933. In the mid-20th century, it was one of the haunts of the Sydney Push group of intellectuals, benefitting from its proximity to the University of Sydney.
The venue made its name as a home for live music during the 80s and 90s, helping to launch the careers of The Go-Betweens, You Am I and Peabody amongst many other acts. More recently, the Hotel has defied a fire in 2013, and a two year closure, which concluded in 2017 with the Mary’s deal. It can rightly be described as one of the great survivors of the Sydney hospitality scene.
In this storied tradition, OAF stated its bold ambition to ‘to provoke thought, instil discussion, and act as a catalyst for more new art and creativity to enter people’s minds’ with the takeover of the Lansdowne.
“Lansdowne has played a hugely important role in the careers of many of our greatest music stars who have conquered the world,” Mark added.
“The Lansdowne is rejuvenated and continues to give voice to emerging and established artists and musicians.”
The announcement comes as the first inklings of a nightlife renaissance begin to stir in the Harbour city, with Darlinghurst’s Club 77 relaunching as a late-night dive bar and club last week.
To celebrate its deliverance from closure, The Lansdowne will host a free ‘Rejuve(nation)’ party on Saturday, June 25, with the 12-hour gig featuring the best in local bands and DJs.
