Port Admiral Hotel reopened after $1 million two-year renovation

IT’S been two years and $1 million in the making — and this week Port Adelaide’s oldest building finally unveils its dramatic new look.

The new Port Admiral Hotel. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

IT’S been two years and $1 million in the making — and this week, Port Adelaide’s oldest building, the 168-year-old Port Admiral Hotel, finally unveils its dramatic new look.

The historic hotel, which has been closed for 10 years, reopens on Wednesday after undergoing an epic renovation by owners Alison Sloley and Adam Freeman and new tenants Crispian Fielke, Angus Henderson and Stewart Wesson from the new Port Local team.

The makeover of the landmark building — which fell into disrepair and languished derelict for the past decade — has become an enduring symbol of the Port’s revitalisation.

Port Admiral Hotel co-owners Crispian Fielke, Angus Henderson and Stewart Wesson in the front bar. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

“We saw the opportunities in the Port and the potential that was there (in the hotel),” Ms Sloley said.

“We thought that corner (Commercial Rd and St Vincent St) was holding the Port back a lot.

“It is a long-term investment and we are confident in the rejuvenation of the Port as long as it is managed. Traffic management is going to have to be worked out because that area is going to be quite congested — as long as that is looked after I think that area will be an important part of the Port.”

The front bar of the Port Admiral Hotel. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

Ms Sloley and Mr Freedman have spent the past two years renovating the high-profile hotel — not an easy task given there was not “one right angle” in the place, she said.

Port Local members — including Mr Fielke, the entrepreneur behind city bars Clever Little Tailor and Pink Moon Saloon and Mr Henderson from local restaurant Low & Slow — were given the keys in July and have spent the past four months fitting it out.

The hotel now has a new front bar, saloon, beer garden, outside terrace and a bottle shop.

Mr Fielke said the Port Local team was feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement to finally see the Addy, as it is affectionately known to locals, back open for business.

”We are hugely excited, there is a lot of emotion because it is a significant part of the Port,” Mr Fielke said.

The saloon of the Port Admiral Hotel. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

He said the chance to restore the Port Admiral was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and that now was the time to invest in Port Adelaide.

“Everything I hear is hugely positive about the Port and being down here just fortifies that,” he said.

“The time is better than ever (to invest in Port Adelaide) — we are pretty excited about Pirate Life (brewery) coming down here and what we hear about some of the empty buildings.”

Mr Fielke said the pub’s revival was one of many symbols of the Port having turned a corner.

“The Port is many layers of people, so we are not the only symbol of what is to come in the Port ... we are a piece of a pretty great landscape,” he said.

Chef Stewart Wesson in the saloon kitchen. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

Chef Stewart Wesson, who has come to the Port from Unley’s popular Whistle and Flute cafe, said it was “hugely exciting” to be in Port Adelaide.

He said patrons could expect to see classic pub fare including schnitzels and burgers on the hotel’s menu.

“Our big thing is going to be fresh seafood so we don’t want to do any frozen imported fish and we want there to be a good variety and have things that are a little bit different,” Mr Wesson said.

Hundreds of people turned out for the hotel’s VIP launch of the hotel on Monday night, including Premier Jay Weatherill, Deputy Premier John Rau, Mayor Gary Johanson and Port Adelaide MP Susan Close.

Outdoor dining at the Port Admiral Hotel. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

Mr Johanson said the hotel was a “beacon of light” for the future of Port Adelaide.

“They are bringing youth and vitality to the Port, which will attract similar youth, and that is what the Port needs is more young people and fresh ideas to give it a very strong future,” he said.

Dr Close said it was great to see a “beautiful Port Adelaide icon brought back to life”.

“With (the) completion of the new government building around the corner, the new waterfront development, and work starting on the new train station in the heart of the Port, smart businesses know there’s no better place to invest right now than gorgeous Port Adelaide,” she said.

The Port Admiral reopens for business at 11am on Wednesday.