Northbridge Hotel, Barusso Restaurant: Plans lodged to turn sites into ‘shop top housing’

A nine-decade old pub and a neighbouring restaurant institution are facing the threat of demolition to make way for a multimillion ‘shop top housing’ development. See what’s planned.

A long-running north shore pub and restaurant are among businesses facing an uncertain future, after multimillion plans were lodged to knock down the buildings to make way for a ‘shop top housing’ development.

A $45.6 million proposal has been lodged with Willoughby Council to construct a five storey development on the site of a strip of businesses including Northbridge Hotel and popular Italian restaurant Barusso Northbridge.

Plans show construction works would involve the demolition of existing buildings at the site, located at the corner of Strathallen Ave and Baringa Rd in Northbridge.

The development would have 24 apartments, ground level retail tenancies, a public pedestrian link connecting Strathallen Ave to Sailors Bay Rd and landscaping works.

The release of plans has taken businesses at the site by surprise with staff at Northbridge Hotel – which operates at the site under a lease agreement – telling this publication they were unaware of the plans.

A concept image of the 24-unit development.

The development is currently occupied by buildings including Northbridge Hotel.

Willoughby Council has also released initial concerns about the proposed demolition of the pub which dates back to 1931 and according to the council has “high historical and social significance to the community.”

Development plans – lodged by developer SJD NB Pty Ltd – stated the proposal would provide a “higher standard” of buildings than those currently located at the site and address housing demand on the north shore.

“The development proposal is of an appropriate scale and mass for the site and is consistent with the desired future character for the area,” the plans stated

A concept image of the development.

The development proposal includes communal open space and pedestrian links.

“The proposed development will result in additional housing stock being provided to the Northbridge area in the form of medium density residential apartments.

“This will assist in achieving council’s housing needs and targets and will improve the housing choice for residents wishing to reside in the local area.”

Other features of the proposal include two levels of basement carparking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and communal open space.

The proposal comes after Willoughby Council made rezoning changes to the Northbridge town centre which allows new development at the site to be built up to five storeys tall.

The proposal will be determined by the Sydney North Planning Panel and is currently under assessment.