Manly Wharf: Locals urged to have a say in future revamp
Much-loved Manly Wharf looks set for a major makeover by its new Brisbane-based owners who are now calling on locals for ideas to make the site even better.
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A call has gone out for northern beaches’ locals to have a say in the future makeover of Manly Wharf.
Brisbane-based tourism developers bought the leasehold to the ionic site for $80 million — along with the Manly Wharf hotel for $30 million — in May last year.
Now that the purchase by Artemus Group, the firm behind the redevelopment of the popular historic Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) hospitality area in the Queensland capital, has been settled, they are looking forward to “breathing new life” into the wharf.
And they want the northern beaches’ community to give them some ideas.
Their Brisbane development, one of the city’s top tourist destinations, boasts a boutique luxury hotel and a microbrewery as well as a range of restaurants, cafes, bars and spaces for events.
Manly Wharf currently has 20 specialty tenancies including some of the seaside suburb’s most popular eateries including Hugos, The Bavarian and Sake.
Artemus Group founders Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry paid the $80 million to the former Wharf leaseholder, eastern suburbs-based property developer Robert Magid, who bought the lease to the then down-at-heel wharf in 1995.
At the same time they paid more than $30 million to take over the Manly Wharf hotel, on the eastern end of the wharf complex.
Mr Flaskas, hinted last year that significant changes were on the way for Manly Wharf.
“We’re passionate about creating dining and entertainment destinations that bring diversity of food, music, and community together.
“With such incredible history in the area, we’re excited to embark on this new journey, breathing new life into such an iconic site.”.
On Tuesday, he said the firm was now excited “to be here in Manly”.
“(We’re) looking forward to hearing from the community about what they love about the Wharf.
“We will be making some initial improvements while we continue to operate business as usual.
“We’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received so far and are extremely proud to join such a vibrant community.”
Mr Flaskas said locals could expect regular updates “as we work together to make Manly Wharf a destination for the whole community to enjoy”.
“We are specialists at revitalising waterfront precincts and transforming them into thriving community and cultural hubs,” Mr Flaskas said.
His partner Mr Henry urged locals “to come down, say hello and share your stories with us”.
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