New family to takeover the iconic Harbord Beach Hotel
A local family have bought the iconic Harbord Beach Hotel in Freshwater following a private sale over the Christmas period. The hotel will change hands in the next three months.
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A prized pub located on Freshwater Beach will change hands in February after it was sold to a young family over the Christmas period.
Northern beaches resident and real estate gun Glenn Piper said he’d been eyeing the Harbord Beach Hotel — known to locals as the Harbord Hilton — for years and when the time was right he made a private offer.
He told the Manly Daily about his plans for the venue’s revival.
“We don’t plan to do immediate refurbishments and want to progressively improve the venue’s offering and service,” Mr Piper said.
“The architecture is heritage listed so we don’t intend to touch the external facade. We really appreciate the architecture, it’s a Californian bungalow and the internals feel like a country suburban pub but it definitely has room for modernising.
“We’re looking to refurbish the kitchen with new equipment and to refurbish the courtyards.”
He said there are also hopes reopen the upper level to the public.
“Currently, you can’t access upstairs, there are accommodation rooms so our plans will be to open that up to the public and make it a public bar.
“We will initially reopen the accommodation rooms. It’s in very good condition at the moment because it’s the owners home.”
He said their priority will be to continue offering good customer service.
“As long as I’ve been a customer there I’ve seen it’s had consistent trade and has a very loyal customer base. We have really good staff on board.
“Our dream for Harbord Beach Hotel is for it to become an epicentre for Freshwater, to bring the local community together and to create a venue that becomes one of the best and well recognised in Sydney.
“I feel privileged to take over the venue. I look forward to meeting all the local patrons and pouring them a beer shortly.”
Despite already owning a few properties Mr Piper said it is the biggest purchase his family has made.
He’s partnered with fellow northern beaches resident Lachlan Cottee and a small syndicate of local investors.
Current owners John Thorpe and Patricia King said they knew the business they ran for 42 years will be in good hands.
Their son Sean King, who worked as the general manager for 20 years, said he was looking forward to seeing the next chapter unfold.
“My brothers, sister and I were raised in this pub and I have lived opposite for the past 25 years,” he said.
“It is a very special property that means so much to my family and the local community.
“After meeting Glenn, we recognised that he not only has the energy and enthusiasm to bring new life to the venue, but importantly a genuine love for the area that will ensure this local pub remains a local.”