Since its record-breaking $160-million sale in 2022, the Crossroads Hotel at Casula remains one of Australia’s most valuable pub assets.
The site, long known as a cornerstone of hospitality in western Sydney, also gained notoriety for its links to serial killer Ivan Milat, who was reported to have visited the venue, and for a major Covid outbreak.
Now, new owner and manager Sonnel Hospitality proposes a $33-million redevelopment.
It would modernise the venue with a 39-room short-stay accommodation wing, expanded dining and entertainment spaces, and redesigned outdoor areas.
Located at the intersection of the Hume Highway and Camden Valley Way, the Crossroads Hotel has operated since the 1830s when it was established as the Talbot Inn, before taking its current name in the 1880s.
In April of 2022, the Nelson Meers Group, led by former Sydney lord mayor Nelson Meers, acquired the site from longtime owner Rob Macdonald for $160 million, setting a national record for a pub sale at the time.
Meers’ died later that year and the group’s hospitality division rebranded as Sonnel Hospitality in July 2024, reflecting its expansion into modern hospitality developments.
A Sonnel Hospitality spokesperson said the redevelopment aligned with the company’s broader vision.
“Liverpool is a growing area and the Crossroads Hotel is a key venue with huge potential to provide for the community,” she said.
The new plans designed by H+E Architects included a revamped bistro, cafe, private dining areas, a beer garden, lounge garden, courtyard and a dedicated children’s area.
New function spaces with operable walls would provide flexible event options, alongside a redesigned carpark and landscaping upgrades.
An acoustic assessment, conducted in line with Liquor and Gaming NSW regulations, recommended soundproofing measures and operational controls to limit noise impact on nearby residents.
A preliminary site investigation flagged potential land contamination from past site uses, including asbestos and petroleum hydrocarbons, requiring further testing before construction began.
The development application, lodged this month, is under review by the Sydney Western City Planning Panel, with the Liverpool City Council managing the approval process.
