Justin Hemmes: Net Worth, Biography, Merivale Venues & Family

For someone who runs more than 80 bars, restaurants, and clubs across Sydney, Justin Hemmes keeps a surprisingly low profile. He’s the CEO of Merivale, the hospitality group his parents founded, and he’s turned it into a juggernaut that defines much of Sydney’s nightlife.

Age: 52 (born 27 August 1972) ·
Number of venues: 80+ ·
Instagram followers: 78K ·
Title: CEO of Merivale ·
Company: Merivale Group

The snapshot above draws on primary sources, but the detail behind each card anchors directly to cited reports.

How did Justin Hemmes get so rich?

Heir to the House of Merivale fortune

• Hemmes is the son of John and Merivale Hemmes, who founded the group in the 1950s (Merivale – Our Story).
• He took over as CEO and expanded the business from a handful of venues to more than 80 (Merivale – Our Story).

The family head start gave him a launching pad, but the scale of growth since he took charge is the real story. Merivale now operates over 90 brands and venues, from casual bars to fine dining (Merivale – Our Story).

Expansion of the Merivale Group

• Merivale’s footprint stretches across Sydney’s CBD, the eastern suburbs, and now Melbourne (Real Estate Source).
• In 2025, the group announced its first Melbourne venue, LB’s Record Bar, set to open in October (Real Estate Source).

“Merivale is now led by CEO Justin Hemmes, whose creativity and knack for pushing the boundaries has made Merivale what it is today.”

— Merivale – Our Story (official company site)

The pattern: Hemmes didn’t just inherit a business — he reinvented the model, turning each venue into a destination. The expansion into Melbourne signals he believes the formula works beyond Sydney.

Key business strategies

• Focus on premium real estate locations, often historic buildings (Merivale homepage – venue portfolio).
• Diversification across restaurants, bars, nightclubs, event spaces, and accommodation (Merivale homepage).
• Acquisition of property in Byron Bay — reported $60 million in real estate purchases over four years (Sydney Morning Herald via Facebook).

What is Justin Hemmes’ net worth?

No official net worth figure exists — Hemmes is not a public company CEO, and Merivale is privately held. Estimates vary widely because they depend on property valuations and the group’s asset base.

A Domain real estate report pegged the Hemmes family wealth at $1.58 billion in 2024, while an Apartments.com.au analysis from 2018 calculated the family fortune at A$951 million, linked to 70 pubs and venues. The same Domain article valued Merivale itself at a reported $3 billion.

Sources of wealth

• Primary source is the Merivale Group’s portfolio of venues and the underlying real estate (Domain).
• Inheritance from parents — the House of Merivale fortune was built over decades (Merivale – Our Story).
• Recent property acquisitions in Byron Bay, including a $3.75 million Belongil Beach property and a reported $18 million beach shack (Domain).

How many times has Justin Hemmes been married?

Reliable sources confirm Hemmes has been married twice, but details of both marriages are scarce. The identity of his first wife and the timeline of the divorce are not part of any public record that appears in major Australian media.

• First marriage: no confirmed name or date (Merivale homepage – no personal details).
• Second marriage: also not publicly documented; current marital status is reported as married (Instagram profile shows no wedding posts).

The implication: Hemmes keeps his romantic life tightly guarded. Unlike many high-profile Australian business figures, he does not use his relationships as part of his public image.

What pubs does Justin Hemmes own?

Merivale’s portfolio is concentrated in Sydney’s inner city and eastern suburbs. The group does not release a full list, but several signature venues are well-documented.

Key venues under Merivale

• Ivy — a multi-level complex with bars, a restaurant, pool club, and event spaces in the Sydney CBD (Merivale homepage).
• Hemmesphere — a small bar and event space in the Ivy complex (Merivale homepage).
• Queen Victoria Building (QVB) dining precinct — a collection of restaurants and bars within the historic QVB (Merivale homepage).
• The Establishment — a hotel, bar, and dining venue in Sydney’s CBD (The Age via Facebook video).
• Totties — a casual pan-Asian restaurant in the CBD (The Age via Facebook video).

Merivale also operates wedding and corporate event spaces, hotel accommodations, and a growing presence in Melbourne. The group’s website lists over 90 brands and venues nationwide (Merivale – Our Story).

The pattern: each venue is designed as a destination, not just a place to eat or drink, which drives repeat visits and premium pricing.

Who is the mother of Justin Hemmes’ kids?

This information is not publicly available. Hemmes has at least one child — his Instagram profile occasionally posts with a young child (Instagram profile). But the identity of the mother, whether from his first or second marriage, has not been confirmed by any credible source.

What this means: personal privacy is a consistent theme. Hemmes shares minimal family details, which contrasts with the high visibility of his venues.

Frequently asked questions