Media and property entrepreneur Antony Catalano has continued his expansion into the Byron Bay luxury hospitality market. The Catalano family recently opened Bonobo by Raes, a new hotel and apartment precinct located in the heart of the town. This development, which features 41 apartment-hotel suites and 33 hotel rooms, represents a significant addition to the family's existing portfolio, which includes the iconic Raes on Wategos beachfront resort.
The project was developed in partnership with Sydney-based developer Podia and the Centennial Property Group. The site for the new venture was acquired in 2021 for $18.55 million during the pandemic. The opening of Bonobo by Raes marks a strategic shift for the brand, moving from its traditional beachfront location at Wategos Beach into the central commercial hub of Byron Bay on Jonson Street.
This expansion follows a series of investments by the Catalano family in the region. In 2024, the family-run Raes on Wategos expanded its capacity by acquiring and rebranding the nearby Victoria’s at Wategos property, adding 10 suites to its boutique offering. These moves are designed to meet the high year-round demand for luxury accommodation in the area, which frequently sees bookings made months in advance.
Management of the hospitality assets is led by Jordy Catalano, the son of Antony Catalano. The family’s growing footprint in Byron Bay now spans multiple high-end properties, including luxury apartments and hotel suites. The latest development has attracted significant interest from high-net-worth investors, with many units in the new precinct already sold to a range of interstate buyers.
As the Catalano family continues to scale its operations, the focus remains on maintaining the exclusive brand identity established at Wategos Beach. The integration of these new assets into the broader Raes hospitality ecosystem is intended to provide guests with a consistent, high-end experience across different locations in the town.