Tattarang picks up Cape Lodge

The property arm of Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang has acquired Yallingup’s Cape Lodge, including the eight-acre private vineyard which exclusively produces the hotel’s premium wine.

The 40-acre site was first opened as a six-room luxury bed and breakfast in 1993, but grew to feature 22 rooms following an extensive renovation in 2003.

Now, the lodge hotel is considered to be one of the best of its kind in Australia, with dining, leisure, conference facilities and a restaurant overlooking the main lake, as well as a 23-year-old vineyard which produces the hotel’s premium Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

In a statement released this afternoon, Tattarang chief investment officer John Hartman confirmed the company’s property arm Fiveight had acquired the hotel, which has been in the hands of Peter and Joelle Larsen for more than 14 years.

Dr Larsen was the co-founder of global education provider Navitas, before retiring in 2014.

While selling the property was bittersweet for the pair, Dr Larsen said he was excited to watch the evolution of the property under the company’s stewardship.

It is understood the hotel’s operations will become the responsibility of Tattarang’s lifestyle division Z1Z, which holds an extensive portfolio including R.M Williams, Cooee restaurant and Indigo Oscar.

The purchase comes amid a big week for the Tattarang business, with the company’s agricultural arm Harvest Road Group announcing just yesterday that it had acquired New Norcia Farm for $40 million.

The buy is a strategically important one for the business, which sits just 33 kilometres south-east of its new Koojan Downs Feeding Facility, and is set to underpin its planned cattle and beef supply chain expansion.

On Sunday, Fiveight unveiled its plans to revamp Cottesloe’s ageing Indiana Teahouse with restaurants, cafés, a rooftop pool and a boutique hotel.

The proposal has been lodged with the Town of Cottesloe for consideration.