Arq Sydney nightclub’s signage was being taken down on Wednesday night and replaced with a new sign for Aura nightclub, indicating a lease has likely now been signed between the club’s incoming management and the building’s owner.
As previously reported by Gay Sydney News, businessman Dave Auld said it was his intention to take over Arq Sydney nightclub and rebrand it Aura.
Auld is a co-founder of Oxford Street nightclub Noir and co-owner of boat-for-hire businesses Seadeck and Oasis.
Arq Sydney held two farewell parties in recent weeks, despite no new lease being signed with Auld.
“Whilst as our landlord said, ‘a deal is not a deal till things are signed’, we’re just rolling with it and making sure we can squeeze in one hell of a goodbye party for the old girl!” said outgoing Arq owner’s representative Sophie Kollmorgen last month.
Now it appears a lease has been finally signed between Auld and the building’s owner, Shadd Danesi.
Contacted for comment on Wednesday night, Auld said he would be able to say more on Thursday.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
