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Penrith Log Cabin: Development application lodged with council

The Log Cabin was one of Penrith’s most iconic pubs when it was destroyed by a fire. Now exciting plans have been revealed to rebuild the popular hotel. SEE THE NEW PLANS.

An artist's rendition of the new-look Penrith Log Cabin. FDC Constructions has submitted a development application with Penrith Council.
An artist's rendition of the new-look Penrith Log Cabin. FDC Constructions has submitted a development application with Penrith Council.

The new Penrith Log Cabin is one step closer to reality.

FDC Construction has submitted a development application to Penrith Council on behalf of a consortium including the Cottle Family, the Laundy Family of Laundy Hotels, and businessman Rob Wearn.

Team2 Architecture has designed a two-storey hotel with indoor and outdoor bars and dining areas overlooking the Nepean River.

A beer garden, children’s playground, and an upstairs fine dining and function area complete the project.

An artist's impression of the new-look Penrith Log Cabin as seen from the Yandhai Nepean Crossing.
An artist's impression of the new-look Penrith Log Cabin as seen from the Yandhai Nepean Crossing.

The planned reconstruction of the hotel, affectionately known as ‘The Loggy’, will continue a 200-year history of hotels on the site.

The riverside site had been home to a pub since the early 1800s, and the original Log Cabin was built in 1926 as the Log House.

It became the Log Cabin Hotel in 1939 and lasted for 73 years before burning down on the evening of March 8, 2012.

A project to build a footbridge through the site was approved in 2014, and the Yandhai Nepean Crossing was officially opened on October 28, 2018.

Fire destroyed the old Log Cabin in March 2012 after 73 years of operation. Picture: Matt Black Productions
Fire destroyed the old Log Cabin in March 2012 after 73 years of operation. Picture: Matt Black Productions
Fire engulfed the Log Cabin Hotel back in 2012.
Fire engulfed the Log Cabin Hotel back in 2012.
The Log Cabin was on of Penrith’s most popular pubs.
The Log Cabin was on of Penrith’s most popular pubs.

“This venue has always been representative of my family’s love for the Penrith community,” previous owner Ross Sinclair said.

“Many people in Penrith had their first beer, first dates, celebrated sporting championships and community events here over the years.

To have that legacy continue into a third century is extremely important to me, and not to mention very rare from an Australian heritage perspective”.

Mr Sinclair exchanged contracts on the site in late 2019.

Ross Sinclair owned the site of the Log Cabin until exchanging contracts with the current owners last year.
Ross Sinclair owned the site of the Log Cabin until exchanging contracts with the current owners last year.

The Log Cabin will join the Marsden Brewhouse and The Locker Room Hotel as part of FDC Construction’s push into the western Sydney hotel market.

“FDC is committed to delivering a high-quality design that recreates a meeting place integral to the social fabric of Penrith, and complementary to the work council has done on the Riverside precinct,” FDC project manager Peter Stait said.

“This venue looms large in the community’s memory, so it is great to have the opportunity to raise the bar again”.

The back of the pub was badly damaged.
The back of the pub was badly damaged.
The Log Cabin was demolished shortly after the fire, and a footbridge was built near the site
The Log Cabin was demolished shortly after the fire, and a footbridge was built near the site

The proposed hotel will become a key component in the council’s Masterplan for The Great River Walk.

Blake Cottle and Rob Wearn said the hotel demonstrated their investment in the future of the area.

“These are trying times we are experiencing,” they said.

“This project represents our collective investment in the future of Penrith and the wider western Sydney community, and we look forward to coming together and celebrating at the new Penrith Log Cabin Hotel.”

Construction is expected to start later this year.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/penrith-log-cabin-development-application-lodged-with-council/news-story/64cab882f370d1cb070ebbe983b5400d