Historic Fenwick Tug Boat site at Balmain given a new lease of life as The Fenwick Balmain cafe and gallery

Sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, the beautiful historical setting of an 1800s sandstone building and Italian-inspired food are on offer at The Fenwick Balmain.

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One of Sydney’s most significant maritime history sites will open its doors the public next week as The Fenwick Balmain, a stunning sandstone cafe and gallery space sitting on the Birchgrove foreshore.

The 1880s heritage-listed building, known for its long association with the Fenwick Tug Boat Company, which was the earliest tugboat operator on Sydney Harbour, will swing open its doors to the public on Monday.

Sydney Restaurant Group owner Bill Drakopoulos, who has been granted a five-year lease over the building that sits at 2-8 Weston St next to the East Balmain Ferry Wharf, said the location was “nothing short of remarkable and stunningly beautiful” at the official opening on July 17.

Mr Drakopolous, whose Sydney Restaurant Group also takes in Aqua Dining, Ormeggio at The Spit, LuMi Bar and Dining, Ripples Milson Point, Ripples Chowder Bay, The Nielsen at Valcluse, Sotto Sopra and Jardin St James, said the decision to bid for the tender for the site “took all of a minute”.

The Fenwick Balmain is a heritage listed building dating back to the 1800s.

“I was born in Camperdown and I spent my very early childhood years growing up in Newtown,” he said.

“I also started my secondary school studies around the corner at Fort St High School so I feel a sense of things coming full circle - it makes this venture all the more special for me.”

Mr Drakopolous said The Fenwick Balmain would serve an Italian-inspired, seasonal lunch and breakfast menu every day with “absolute harbour front alfresco dining”.

The opening party canapés menu included grapes wrapped with goat cheese and pistachio, oysters with finger lime and white balsamic as well as kataifi prawns with wasabi mayo.

“We are excited to serve food people will love to come and eat regularly and a drink list to match,” he said.

The Fenwick Balmain opening party canapés included grapes wrapped with goat cheese and pistachio.

“We aim to be the locals, local - affordable, comfortable and relaxed but stylish.

“We will focus on being part of the fabric of the Balmain community but we will be proud to welcome and showcase this restaurant to visitors from all corners.

“Apart from the timeless beauty of this architecture there is the jaw-dropping view of the world’s most impressive harbour.”

He said the first floor walls would showcase a range of artists, starting with Sydney artist Nafise Naomi, whose Animal Works charity has raised more than $450,00 for wildlife conservation.

The Fenwick Balmain leasee Sydney Restaurant Group owner Bill Drakopoulos with Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne at the opening party.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne told the crowd at the official opening that former prime minister Neville Wran was “born about 100m up the hill”.

“My father used to frequently quote Neville Wran, probably his most famous quote: “There are only two people in this world, those from Balmain and those who wish they were”,” he said.

He said the opening marked an important day for the Balmain community with this “world class dining destination” set to lift the local economy.

The Fenwick Balmain served canapés and bubbly as part of the opening party - a preview the public opening on July 22

“Over recent years there has been a lot of concern about the decline of Darling St, it’s a place I grew up on, a place famous for its pub culture, a place renowned as a fun, vibrant and interesting place,” Cr Byrne said.

He said the transformation of one of Sydney’s most important heritage buildings was sending a message to Sydneysiders and beyond to come to Balmain - to come to the gateway of Balmain and stay and see the rest of Balmain.