Manly Waterworks part of new plan for Manly Pavilion reopening, with operators sought for summer slide favourite

THE lease for Manly Pavilion has finally been bought by the family behind a northern beaches wedding venue- and they also want summer slide spot, Waterworks, to return.

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LANDMARK restaurant Manly Pavilion — which has been empty for three years is finally set to reopen — and it could signal the return of the peninsula’s Waterworks park.

The lease for Manly Bathers Pavilion has been bought by the family behind a northern beaches wedding venue, who say it will become a family-friendly spot harking back to the building’s former glory.

They also want popular summer play spot, Waterworks, to return next door.

Manly Bathers Pavilion, known as will become a restaurant once more.

The Bathers Pavilion opened in June 1933, and later became a high tea hotspot. Picture: State Library of NSW.

Santo and Alba Severino, who own function centres Miramare Gardens and Checkers in Terrey Hills, paid about $6 million for the spot according to rumours, and son Paul will be at the helm.

“We’re going to be running a restaurant on level two, and on level one will be a mind-blowing function space,” he said. “It’s going to be easy dining, and affordable for everyone.”

The restaurant, called Bistro at Manly Pavilion, will open in May. The function room will launch at the end of the year.

Manly Waterworks closed last year, but with slides and a pool, had been a favourite for years.

Manly Pavilion Restaurant when it opened in 2010.

Mr Severino said the family was in talks with operators keen to take on play spot Waterworks, which remained closed this summer.

The Bathers Pavilion opened in June 1933, and became a high tea hotspot. In 2010 after an $8 million revamp, it became an award-winning restaurant but went into liquidation after two years.

The new owners of the lease say though the inside has been vandalised, they’ll restore it to its former glory.

Celebs including Jennifer Hawkins and surfer Layne Beachley dined there.

It reopened briefly in 2013. A colony of little penguins is protected as part of the lease of the land from the State Government.

Afternoon tea was popular when the restaurant was open from 2010-2013.

Beaches locals, rocker Layne Beachley and surfer Kirk Pengilly at the launch of Manly Pavilion in 2010.