Harbord Hotel: Owners take next step in bid to add 3-storey, 37-room hotel wing

The owners of an iconic pub in a Sydney beachside suburb are pressing ahead with a bid to add a 37-room hotel wing despite a wave of complaints from locals.

The iconic Harbord “Hilton” Hotel at Freshwater has applied to have local planning rules amended so it can press ahead with a bid to add a 37-room hotel wing. Picture: Supplied

The owner of a popular northern beaches pub is set to take the next step in a controversial bid to add a 37-room hotel wing to the premises.

Freshwater’s Harbord Beach Hotel wants local planning rules changed to so it can build the three-storey accommodation block in the carpark at the back of the pub.

But the redevelopment push, by what is affectionately known locally as the “Harbord Hilton”, has been the target of a community campaign aimed at halting the proposal.

About 110 submissions in opposition have been sent to Northern Beaches Council after the planning proposal — to amend the Warringah Local Environmental Plan to include hotel accommodation as an “additional permitted use” — went on public exhibition in late August.

Then, in November, the council voted against supporting the rezoning proposal and referred it to the NSW Government’s Planning Department for review.

An artist's impression of the proposed addition of hotel accommodation (right), including 37 rooms and a swimming pool, to the Harbord Hotel at Freshwater. Picture: Hot House Architects

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

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

Now, hotel owner Glenn Piper has taken the next step directly asking the Planning Department to review the rezoning request.

The Harbord Hotel, near Freshwater Beach, is popular with locals, but some neighbours are opposed to the proposed redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

The department has now requested an independent assessment by the Sydney North Planning Panel.

If the panel recommends that the proposal has merit, the department will issue a Gateway Determination. That determination will install a panel as the body to make a recommendation to the Planning Minister whether the rezoning should be approved.

An artist's impression of the proposed addition of hotel accommodation. Picture: Hot House Architects

Mr Piper, who bought the pub in 2019, wants to build the hotel accommodation, attached to the pub and its bottle shop, offering 37 rooms, a swimming pool and a gym.

Basement carparking with 72 carparking spaces are also planned.

The Harbord Hotel has historically offered accommodation. Picture: Supplied

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

The hotel reasled a statementon Tuesday.

“Harbord Hotel has always been a place for locals and visitors to connect.

“Our proposal to restore accommodation reflects this, offering a thoughtful, much-needed option for those visiting Freshwater, whether to see family, enjoy the coastline or experience local culture.

“We consulted council staff before lodging the DA and are approaching this with the community front of mind, providing increased parking for the Freshwater Basin and ensuring a sensitive, respectful approach to heritage and design.

“Our deep love for Freshwater, its history, and its community has always guided us at Harbord. This commitment remains at the heart of everything we do as we continue to shape its future.”