ONE of North Adelaide’s oldest watering holes, the Oxford Hotel, has gone on the market for the first time in 16 years.

The State Heritage-listed property is expected to sell for more than $6.5 million, with more than 130 people inquiring about the hotel in the first week of it being listed for sale.

Vendor Rob Williamson, from Savills, said the 1884 O’Connell St hotel had been initially listed on realcommercial.com.au on Tuesday, February 1.

“We had a major response via email there were more than 135 inquiries,” Mr Williamson said.

“On top of that, our paper advertisement interested another 20 people.”

The Oxford is owned by the Makris Group and leased to the Saturno Group. The group signed a five-year lease in November 2009, with the option of renewal for five or 10 years.

Makris Group chief executive John Blunt would not comment on the reasons for the hotel’s sale.

Mr Williamson said most interest for the pub had come from “investment syndicates’‘.
ntsGThe hotel’s website states it has become popular with university students but attracted a “combination of suits and luncheon ladies’‘.nte
“It is a beautiful building with a very good balance of trading spaces including the indoor and outdoor environments and integrating food, functions and gaming,’’ he said. “One of the most interesting features is the clever way it blends history with modern change.’‘
The Oxford Hotel was built in 1884 after the original 1859 building, known as the Princess Royal, was demolished.
The hotel has two levels, and includes a front bar, pokie lounge, canteen, restaurant, function room and outdoor area.
Expressions of interest close on Wednesday, March 2, at 4pm.