Penrith: New seven-storey hotel planned at the Australian Arms

A heritage-listed pub in western Sydney may soon get a sky-high upgrade as part of $23 million plans, including a six-storey hotel, lodged with Penrith Council. READ WHAT’S IN STORE.

Artist's impression of a proposed seven-storey hotel to be built out the back of the Australian Arms Hotel on Penrith's High St. Picture: Supplied

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A heritage-listed pub in the heart of Penrith is set to get a sky-high upgrade if plans lodged with Penrith Council are approved.

The Australian Arms Hotel has applied to build 115 hotel rooms as part of an upgrade to the site, on the corner of High and Lawson Streets, Penrith.

The hotel would rise seven storeys in the air on the northeastern side of the pub, and would include six floors of hotel rooms.

The design would see the Australian Arms Hotel stay as it currently is and be a focal point for the development.

A second bar/restaurant would be included on the ground floor of the proposed hotel.

The existing Australian Arms Hotel has been on the corner of High and Lawson Streets since 1940. Picture: Google

A beer garden, a carpark, a children’s playground, and several existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the hotel.

The total cost of the project is expected to be over $23 million.

A planner from Mersonn, on behalf of the Australian Arms Hotel, said the development would help solve Penrith’s lack of accommodation options.

“While the local area is relatively developed for commercial and employment uses as part of the Penrith Commercial Core, it is characterised by a lack of hotel accommodation and landscaped public open space,” they said.

Artist's impression of a proposed seven-storey hotel to be built out the back of the Australian Arms Hotel on Penrith's High St. Picture: Supplied

The Australian Arms Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in Penrith, with its history dating back to the 1870s.

Butcher Thomas Andrews initially licensed the site in 1872, and retained the license into the 1890s.

The old building was modernised in 1902 before being demolished in 1940 to make way for the existing building.

The Hotel was part of a Penrith Heritage Study in 1987 and again in 2005.

The Australian Arms Hotel and Mersonn Pty Ltd were contacted for comment.