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First-of-its-Kind in Australian Eatertainment to open at Aurora Melbourne Central

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 7 April 2022:  Leading Malaysian property developer UEM Sunrise Berhad (“UEM Sunrise” or “the Company”) has secured an anchor tenant, a first-of-its-kind Eatertainment offering, Paddle Battle by the team at Home of Hospitality, at its Aurora Melbourne Central retail precinct.  

Set to be the next major player in CBD entertainment, Paddle Battle will open in the lower ground floor of Melbourne CBD’s tallest building as a table tennis social club complemented by a luxury dining experience.

The 15-year lease for 1,680 square metres of premium retail space in the heart of the CBD was secured by leading specialised retail agency Retail Realm in conjunction with Azeta Real Estate.

It’s the first time the table tennis Eatertainment phenomenon has arrived on Australian shores, after success across Europe and the USA. With a sophisticated food, beverage, and entertainment offering, the experience is designed to suit social occasions as well as corporate events.  

The Aurora Melbourne Central retail precinct is part of the AU$800 million flagship mixed-use development - an 86-storey tower comprising 959 residential apartments, 252 serviced apartments operated by Scape Living@Aurora, 3,460 square metres of office space and 3,500 square metres of premium retail space. 

UEM Sunrise Director, Australia, Ong Chee Wei said they are proud the development would host a pioneering Eatertainment venue, which is expected to be a major drawcard to the precinct for other major retail brands.

“Aurora Melbourne Central offers residents, workers and visitors unparalleled convenience and connection to neighbouring amenity such as Melbourne Central Train Station, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, Emporium and Bourke St Mall – this places Aurora Melbourne Central as a primely located retail hub, ready to enhance the vibrancy of the CBD,” Ms Ong said.

“UEM Sunrise has been searching for a unique offering to the Melbourne hospitality market, and we’re proud to host a new Eatertainment offering in Paddle Battle, which will become an exciting destination in the CBD for Melburnians and tourists alike.

“We are witnessing the city quickly reinvigorating after the end of COVID-19 restrictions, so it’s no surprise our retail precinct is also attracting significant interests.  We expect this to only increase now Paddle Battle is on board.”

Home of Hospitality Managing Director, Eleanor Barratt said, “We have been waiting to bring this project to life in Melbourne for many years now, the idea came about long before the pandemic hit. We spent countless hours researching and developing the concept and even travelled to America and England to check out the concepts over there. Finding the perfect space has been worth the wait, and we are really excited for Paddle Battle to be opening soon!”

Home of Hospitality’s Operations Manager, George Pezaros added, “When you combine entertainment and great food, the emergence of EATertainment world is created. Paddle Battle is at the forefront, leading the way for individuals, group bookings and corporates to merge business with pleasure.”

The Aurora Melbourne Central retail precinct is set to open in July 2022.