Shannon Bennett’s Richmond burger site for lease

Shannon Bennett’s Richmond burger joint will make way for another tasty tenant in the heart of Swan St.

The chef’s failed takeaway venture Benny Burgers was put into voluntary administration late last year, after collapsing with outstanding debts of $170,000.

The trendy venue at 95 Swan St, which was leased by Bennett, has been put on the rental market by CBRE Victorian retail leasing.

Listing agent Zelman Ainsworth says there was no public lease price, but the landlord is “looking for an established retailer who can carry out the lease until the next term, which could be for five, seven or 10 years”.

95 Swan St, Richmond is for lease.

He says the modern fit-out appeals to hospitality businesses who usually have to move into a “cold empty space”.

“Shannon Bennett successfully created a magnificent space with all the amenities a retail space needs,” Ainsworth says.

“It’s a great opportunity for another operation to come in and tweak it to suit their brand.”

Inside the vacant Benny Burgers site.

CoreLogic records show the property last sold for $6 million in March 2017, just months before Bennett opened the doors to the ethical burger eatery named after his father.

The building has remained vacant since Bennett put the business into voluntary administration.

The chef has made a number of personal property plays in the past few years with his wife, Neighbours star Madeleine West.

A kitchen is ready to use.

CoreLogic records show they sold their luxe Lorne beach house for more than $4 million in 2018.

The couple still own a grand five-bedroom Toorak mansion they bought for $16 million in 2017, according to public records.

Shannon Bennett and Madeleine West have made some serious property moves in recent years.

They previously owned a Victorian mansion at 38 Cromwell Rd in South Yarra, which they sold for $10 million months after moving into Toorak.

Bennett’s Vue Group continues to operate some of Melbourne’s most famous restaurants, including Vue De Monde, the Lui Bar and the Piggery cafe and Burnham Bakery in Burnham Beeches.

This article from the originally appeared as “Shannon Bennett: Site of celebrity chef’s Benny Burgers for lease”.