Deal profile | Gadens advises on the purchase of Higher Ground, Top Paddock and The Kettle Black

Gadens has advised Darling Hospitality Group Pty Ltd (Darling Hospitality Group) on the acquisition of three highly regarded, high-end hospitality venues in inner Melbourne: Top Paddock Café in Richmond, Higher Ground Melbourne in Melbourne’s CBD, and The Kettle Black in South Melbourne. The acquisition complements Darling Hospitality Group’s existing portfolio of cafes and restaurants including Dundas & Faussett in Albert Park, Darling Café in South Yarra, and Bambu in South Melbourne.

Nicholas Seoud, director of Darling Hospitality Group says:

“We are thrilled to welcome into the Darling Group family, the highly recognised and award-winning venues, Top Paddock Café, Higher Ground Melbourne and The Kettle Black. Each venue has pushed the boundaries of what to expect from the dining experience and their concepts will be remarkable additions to our portfolio and very complementary to our existing family of venues including Darling in South Yarra, Dundas & Faussett in Albert Park and Bambu in South Melbourne.

Gadens, led by Partners Antoine Pace and Chris Ludescher, guided us through the complex acquisition. Their dedicated team provided us with the breadth of skill, expertise and resources necessary to complete the deal. The diligence and commitment displayed by the team drove a successful outcome for the Darling Group, exceeding expectations.”

Deal area: Hospitality

Key team members:  Gadens Partners Antoine Pace and Chris Ludescher (Corporate Advisory/IP) led the team, assisted by Cassandra Krylov (Lawyer, Corporate Advisory/IP) and Jessica Merola (Lawyer, Corporate Advisory/IP).

Deal significance:  Led by Sam Seoud and son Nicholas Seoud, the Darling Hospitality Group has an enviable reputation in the Melbourne hospitality industry. The Darling Group boasts a strong portfolio of popular cafes and restaurants in Melbourne, including Dundas & Faussett in Albert Park, Darling Café in South Yarra, and Bambu in South Melbourne.  The acquisition of Top Paddock, Higher Ground Melbourne and The Kettle Black will add to the impressive portfolio of venues.

Higher Ground Melbourne, Top Paddock and The Kettle Black have been some of Melbourne’s most iconic and groundbreaking cafes. This purchase marks a significant step in the growth of the Darling Hospitality Group, and marks a notable change in the Melbourne hospitality landscape.