Harbord ‘Hilton’: Community pushback against pub’s bid to add three-storey, 37-room hotel wing

A wave of objections has swamped a controversial bid to add a 37-room hotel wing to an almost century-old Sydney pub.

An artist's impression of the proposed addition of hotel accommodation, including 37 rooms and a swimming pool, to the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater. Hot House Architects

A wave of objections has swamped a popular northern beaches pub’s controversial bid to add a 37-room hotel wing to the premises.

The Harbord Hotel in Freshwater has lodged an application to change local planning rules to so it can build the three-storey accommodation block in the carpark at the back of the pub.

But the redevelopment push by the owners of the venue, which is affectionately known locally as the “Harbord Hilton”, has sparked community backlash.

About 110 submissions in opposition have been fired into the Northern Beaches Council after the planning proposal went on public exhibition in late August.

Many of the complaints from locals centre around concerns the new wing, described by one neighbour as “monolithic”, might take away from the character of the iconic art deco pub opened in 1928.

An artist's impression of the proposed addition of hotel accommodation to the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater. Picture: Hot House Architects

Others argued the new hotel was not appropriate for a predominantly residential area.

In a written submission, longtime local Mark Messenger argued nearby Manly had sufficient hotel options for visitors to the area.

“Freshwater suffers from limited infrastructure as it is,” he wrote.

“The suburb is now congested due to the popularity of the area.

“Establishing a quasi-mini hotel in a small suburb will only add to these issues.”

Angus and Katherine Cameron submitted that the “size and bulk of the proposed structure is not in-keeping with heritage nature of the existing hotel building”.

An artist's impression of the proposed addition of hotel accommodation to the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater. Picture: Hot House Architects

Pamela Bray said the “construction of such a vast complex would be a nightmare for traffic, parking, noise, and the general comfort of all residents living within several blocks of the hotel”.

In documents lodged with the council, hotel owner and Epochal Hotels chief executive Glenn Piper sought to amend the Warringah Local Environmental Plan to include hotel accommodation as an “additional permitted use” at the site.

Mr Piper took over ownership in December 2019 before setting about revamping and upgrading the pub.

In June last year, he won a Land and Environment Court battle to allow it to press ahead with a separate $2.8m revamp, which included converting its first floor into another bar and lounge, with an open balcony. A recording studio for local artists was also included in that plan.

Now, Mr Piper wants to build the hotel accommodation, attached to the pub and its bottle shop, offering 37 rooms, a swimming pool and a gym.

The Harbord Hotel, which opened in 1928. Picture: Supplied

Basement carparking with 72 carparking spaces is planned.

Mr Piper said since taking over the hotel, “we’ve been dedicated to preserving its legacy as a proud cornerstone of the community for nearly 100 years”.

“We’ve approached this responsibility with great care, ensuring every improvement is thoughtfully planned and gradually introduced,” he said.

“Our ongoing commitment is to not only create a vibrant destination for the local community but also to strengthen the hotel’s role in the northern beaches by providing much-needed short-term accommodation, supporting the local economy, and enriching the area’s vitality.”

The carpark at the rear of the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater. Picture: Supplied

Mr Piper also pointed out that the pub historically provided accommodation and received regular inquiries from people seeking hotel rooms.

In a planning proposal report attached to the application, consultants stated that hotel accommodation “can be provided on the site without adversely impacting upon the local heritage significance of the existing building, the streetscape or the amenity of surrounding and nearby properties”.

The council will now decide whether the planning proposal should proceed to NSW Planning for review.

NSW Planning would then make a recommendation to the Planning Minister to make a “gateway determination”, which is a decision on whether the application should proceed or not.