Glenelg’s $1 million Buffalo restaurant redevelopment given green light after two-and-a-half year wait
GLENELG’S once-doomed Buffalo restaurant will get a new lease on life with a new outdoor bar and alfresco dining area, as well as a kiosk, deck and dock finally approved to go ahead.
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THE once-doomed Buffalo restaurant is set to get a new lease of life after a $1 million project to revamp the Glenelg icon was given the green light.
The State Commission Assessment Panel on Thursday granted approval for owner Troy DeYoung to begin a makeover of the replica ship – two-and-a-half years after plans were first lodged.
The Buffalo was almost lost in 2014 when it was set for demolition, before Mr DeYoung bought it from Richard Finlayson for just $1.
Meals were last served at the restaurant in December 2013.
The upgrade will involve a redevelopment of the inside and outside of the restaurant, including a an outdoor bar and alfresco dining area, as well as a kiosk, deck and dock on the Patawalonga River.
Mr DeYoung did not respond to inquiries today by the CoastCity Weekly.
Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson said it was “fantastic” that the Buffalo development could now go ahead.
“South Australians have shown a great, long-lasting, affection for the Buffalo and we have all been looking forward to seeing it renovated and renewed, so it’s wonderful to know that the green flag has now been waved,” he said.
Mr DeYoung’s application went before the commission in January but a decision was deferred following concerns over the development’s appearance and it’s impact on traffic and parking.
Minutes of the meeting were released today.
There were also issues surrounding noise and the fact that it was on Holdfast Bay Council-owned land – Mr DeYoung is leasing its footprint from the council.
The original HMS Buffalo brought the first settlers to Glenelg in 1836 but was destroyed in a shipwreck four years later.
At yesterday’s meeting, the commission deferred a decision on another local application from property developer Andrew Taplin.
He is planning an eight-storey apartment and retail building on the corner of Jetty Rd and Partridge St.