Merivale's pace shows no signs of slowing

• Merivale's new leading lady, Queen Chow, opens in Enmore
• Merivale buys The Alexandria Hotel

As Merivale worked feverishly to open its latest venue, a chicken shop on Oxford Street in Paddington, predictions of a quieter year of launches for the expansive hospitality group appear wide of the mark.

The new mid-level venue at Coogee Pavilion will finally be unveiled in 2017, as will the new offering at the recently acquired Alexandria Hotel. Owner Justin Hemmes says part of the plan at The Alex is to have a number of rotating food offerings through part of the pub.

Despite splashing $37.5 million on Mascot's Tennyson Hotel, Hemmes wants to operate the pub and get a feel for the customers and area before making any changes. Word inside Merivale is that a major yet-to-be-announced project will also be revealed next year.