Insane scenes as hundreds line up to get into Justin Hemmes’ new Sydney venue – as billionaire pub baron and model partner Madeline Holtznagel celebrate on $1m speedboat

Sydney’s nightlife went into overdrive on Saturday night as hundreds of eager patrons queued up to experience billionaire Justin Hemmes’ latest hospitality venture.

In footage shared to social media, an enormous crowd stretching down the street was seen as patrons waited to gain entry into iconic RSL, Club Rose Bay, located in the upmarket suburb of the same name. 

The atmosphere was electric, with every inch of the venue seemingly packed as eager patrons lined up for the opening. 

The clip was captioned with some telling words: ‘Holy moly. Apparently they were anticipating a much older demographic.

‘Instead, every young eastern suburbs Merivale lover has swarmed the joint.’ 

The weekend’s celebrations were far from low-key, with Justin and his glamorous girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel unveiling a new $1million speedboat as part of the festivities, marking the launch in true Merivale style.

Justin, 53, and Madeline, 28, rocked contrasting monochromatic outfits as they took in the sights of Sydney Harbour.  

Justin looked effortlessly cool in a black zip-up jacket paired with matching jeans.

Madeline, meanwhile, looked radiant in an all-white tracksuit. 

She elevated the casual look with designer open-toed heels and slick sunglasses, while her flowing blonde locks were largely tucked away beneath the hood.

The loved-up couple appeared in high spirits as they soaked up the sunshine, smiling broadly as they toasted to their success.

Justin and Madeline looked every inch the power couple as they celebrated another milestone for the Merivale empire.

In October last year, Justin revealed his ambitious plans to transform five heritage buildings in the heart of Sydney’s CBD into a hospitality precinct.

The upmarket pub tycoon, who is the CEO of Merivale and runs Hemmes Hermitage along with his sister and mother, unveiled plans to transform an area formerly known as Kings Green.

The company is hoping to transform five heritage buildings on the block bounded by King, York, Clarence and Barrack streets and turn them into a hospitality precinct.

Covering an area of 16,300sqm, the precinct is intended to be an interconnected and mixed–use precinct, with a new hotel, office spaces and fine dining.

The proposal, revealed by The Daily Telegraph, includes the existing Hotel CBD – a multi-storey Victorian building bought by the company in 1995.

The remaining buildings include 50 King Street, 73 York Street, 71 York Street and 312 to 318 Clarence Street, which were all bought in 2022.

The transformation will not involve any major reconstruction or demolition, as the proposal included maintenance of the buildings’ heritage features, footprints and current heights.

Justin said Sydney’s nightlife, after many years in the doldrums caused by lockout laws, then Covid lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis, was poised to enter a ‘new and exciting era for hospitality and entertainment’.

He explained the proposed precinct would stimulate a 24-hour economy by giving residents and workers more choices with food, entertainment and beverages, and create hundreds of jobs.