Boathouse Group to move into Manly Pavilion restaurant site
The ever-popular Boathouse Group has announced it will take over one of the most stunning venues on Sydney Harbour in a move which will create dozens of new jobs.
Manly
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The popular Boathouse hospitality group is set to expand with the announcement it is moving into one of the northern beaches’ most iconic restaurant sites.
It has signed a deal to take over the lease of the NSW Heritage-listed Manly Pavilion on the western side of Manly Cove.
Boathouse Group co-owner Ben Isaac, who with his brother Jono, bought into the then troubled cafe chain in mid-2019, told the Manly Daily on Tuesday that the lease deal for what they described as the “jewel” of the Manly waterfront, was signed on Monday.
The Severino family, which runs the Miramare Venue & Events company, also confirmed that it was handing over the Pavilion lease, which runs out in 2040.
For six years Miramare operated a restaurant, bar and function centre in the building, built in 1933 at the western end of West Esplanade.
Property develop brothers Ben and Jono Isaac, part of a syndicate of investors that bought The Boathouse Group, vowed to keep the popular eateries open, which employed about 500 people, after the group experienced some financial difficulties.
After growing debts and a wind-up action by the Australian Taxation Office, the original owners Andrew and Pip Goldsmith searched out new investors.
Since then the group has opened a new outlet at Rose Bay and still has restaurants at Shelly Beach in Manly, Balmoral, Palm Beach, Whale Beach and Patonga on the Central Coast.
Ben Isaac said on Tuesday he was particularly excited that there was a possibility the NSW Government would demolish the old Sea Life Aquarium building, which blocks views from the Pavilion, and that the site would become public open space.
“The Boathouse is so northern beaches and known by everyone on the northern beaches so it’s exciting to be part of revitalising and reactivating the West Esplanade.
“Since the state heritage building first opened in 1933, only a handful of custodians have shared this space, and we are honoured to be entrusted by the Miramare Venues & Events team and the Severino family to build on the good work achieved over the past five years.”
Andrew Goldsmith, who manages the Boathouse Group with his wife, said the announcement came as the NSW Government said it would allow hospitality venues to open on October 11.
“It has been a challenging two years for the hospitality industry,” he said. “However, in the same breath, we are excited to have something positive for our team to work on.”
Pip Goldsmith, who is the Group’s creative director, said the venue would receive a facelift.
“We will draw upon the venue’s many layers of rich history and of course, aim to create a beautiful and fun venue for all to visit.”
Mr Isaac said work to revamp the Pavilion would begin in mid-October and they were aiming to open in January.
He said there would be several dozen jobs advertised closer to the opening date.
“We are in a prime position to support local jobs and became part of the Manly Esplanade Community.”
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