Plan to transform Manly’s old Sea Life aquarium into a live music venue
An entrepreneur has put forward a bid to transform the derelict Sea Life aquarium site at Manly into a high-quality live entertainment venue for 1300 patrons. SEE THE VIDEO.
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A proposal to transform the derelict Sea Life aquarium site at Manly into a high-quality live entertainment venue for 1300 patrons has been released.
The site, on West Esplanade, would also include a restaurant as well as host international and domestic musical, dance and stand-up comedy acts.
Oliver Smith, a northern beaches entrepreneur, said he has set up IMAGINE Manly to help boost the area’s hospitality sector through live entertainment.
Mr Smith revealed details of redevelopment at a meeting of Northern Beaches Council on Tuesday night where it was discussing a draft plan to revamp of public areas along West Esplanade, including the aquarium site.
The Sea Life aquarium building, on land owned by the NSW Government’s Roads and Maritime Service, has been empty since it closed in January last year.
Mr Smith told the Manly Daily he has financial partners willing to back the venture, which he said would attract more visitors to the area.
The RMS has previously said it would seek expressions of interest for the lease of the site in the first half of 2018 “in accordance with the current zoning.” The expressions of interest are now expected to be opened in October.
The site is currently zoned for recreational waterway use that only allows for boat sheds, environmental facilities and water-based recreation structures.
The zoning prohibits industries; multi dwelling housing; residential flats; seniors housing and; warehouse or distribution centres.
Mr Smith told the Manly Daily that the proposed venue would host a range of music and other entertainment catering to different age groups and that it would not open past midnight.
He said he has already conducted a community poll to gauge interest in the plan and wanted to assure neighbouring residents that the venue would make every effort to minimise night time noise and disruption from patrons leaving the premises.
“As well as providing employment for local people, we believe the venue would significantly add to the hospitality culture of Manly. It would be a community inclusive space to accommodate all.”
The venue would also upgrade a wharf on the site and provide a water taxi service from Circular Quay.
Speaking at the council meeting Mr Smith said 90 per cent of people he polled were in favour of the venue.
“IMAGINE Manly will focus on quality live entertainment as well as running a restaurant.
“We plan on featuring entertainment along the lines of domestic and international live music, stand up comedy, artists, DJs, dance performances and numerous community focused live events.
“The thesis of IMAGINE is to continue the inclusive nature of the site while elevating the tourism culture of the northern beaches.”
“I will strive to provide the suburb of Manly a modern and community inclusive venue for all demographics.”
Council’s Draft Manly West Esplanade Heritage Activation Plan recommends the aquarium be demolished to unblock the view to the Heritage-listed swimming Pavilion and that the site become public open space that could host events including community markets.
“The main message from the community was that they would like a softer family friendly, accessible environment (on West Esplanade) for both the local community and visitors,” the council papers said.
NSW Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings said work was under way on planning for the future of the former Manly aquarium site.
“NSW Maritime expects to invite formal expressions of interest from the community later this year,” Mr Hutchings said.
The draft West Esplanade plan is now on public display.