Willo Restaurant and Bar to open at 32 Smith St Parramatta

Parramatta’s portfolio of swish watering holes is growing with a cocktail bar and restaurant planned for a $330 million corporate tower. And its name pays homage to an endangered historical treasure.

Parramatta’s portfolio of swish watering holes is growing with Willo Restaurant and Bar to open in the $330 million 32 Smith St building.

The bevies will start pouring at Willo, on the ground floor of the 25-storey tower, in late September when GPT Group is slated to officially open the major development.

Steve Jreij, the seasoned hospitality dynamo behind Parramatta’s Bica Cafe and Black Seed, is behind Willo, which he has named after the willow trees along the Parramatta River and the heritage-listed Willow Grove, which the government is poised to demolish to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.

Willo Restaurant and Bar will serve Mediterranean-inspired dishes and share plates.

Willo’s menu includes steaks and pastas for the corporate crowd during the week and modern Australian, Mediterranean and share plates to complement the bar offerings on weekends.

“What we’re trying to achieve is a relaxed, moody, luxe atmosphere,’’ Mr Jreij said.

“We’re trying to target a more mature demographic, in between Alex & Co and Ruse.’’

Singers will perform at the venue on weekends in an interior filled with stone and natural timbers.

A kiosk will also open in the lobby and Sir Will Espresso is to keep the CBD caffeinated.

Mr Jreij, who was “born and bred in Greystanes” says Parramatta is the place to be and more bars are needed to give the CBD a night life.

The restaurant will serve corporate employees during the week.

“Bica’s been there for literally 15 years, we’re very familiar with Parramatta and see it’s grown for many years and we want to have a footprint here in the future,’’ he said.

“I think if they want Parramatta to be the next big thing in Sydney you need bars and you need restaurants.

“In order to create a bar and night life you need bars and restaurants. There’s no point having commercial towers everywhere.’’

Willow Grove inspired the name for the cocktail bar. Picture: Monique Harmer

GTP’s major tenant, QBE Insurance, will occupy 51 per cent of 32 Smith St, while Coleman Greig Lawyers will relocated from nearby George St.

The 26,500sq m site has risen from the former Salvation Army church and office site.

By the end of the year, Parramatta will have an extra 43,763sq m of office space.

GPT's “landmark tower'' for Parramatta. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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