Justin Hemmes splashed $6m on Coogee Pavilion makeover
PUB king Justin Hemmes is splashing out more than $6 million to create a high-end restaurant and cocktail bar on the disused first floor of his flagship Coogee Pavilion.
PUB king Justin Hemmes is splashing out more than $6 million to create a high-end restaurant and cocktail bar on the disused first floor of his flagship Coogee Pavilion.
Despite the Dolphin St venue being one of the jewels in Hemmes’s Merivale crown, the first floor has been closed off to the public for many years.
It was last used as an entertainment area for live bands and DJs when the premises traded as the Beach Palace Hotel.
Hemmes’s grand plan, which was approved by the Randwick Planning Panel last week, will see it transformed into a “sophisticated” and “up-market” restaurant with two “high-end” dining areas and a supporting cocktail bar.
The application also involves the replacing of the windows with new timber windows which fully open.
Coogee Pavilion is one of the most popular venues in Sydney’s east and one of Hemmes’s most successful.
With its views across Coogee Beach it is also a popular spot for Sydney’s glamorous and famous.
In the application to council, BBC Consulting Planners, on behalf of Merivale, said: “Level 1, once refurbished, will provide contemporary hospitality facilities within a heritage listed building, the presentation, functionality and longevity of which will be much improved through the proposed works.
“The refurbished hotel will have a strong emphasis on offering quality food and drink service … The proposal will result in a positive heritage outcome and will have social and economic benefits.”
The plans involve the demolition of the interior fabric of the first floor including stairwells along with the existing aluminium windows, columns and balustrades and some walls.
The new restaurant space will be open-plan. However, there will also be a private dining room, a wine bar and red and white wine rooms.
The main room will also feature a cocktail and tapas bar.
For the staff there will be a cool room, dry storage area, pot wash and preparation area and dish washing and glass washing area along with a new kitchen.
Merivale state the first floor will have a capacity of 720 in addition to 1,100 on the ground floor and 620 on the second.
The proposed trading hours for the first floor are 5am to 1am Monday to Thursday, 5am to 3am Friday and Saturday and 5am to midnight on Sunday.
The estimated cost of the project is $6,183,100.
IN OTHER NEWS
Lowes owner lists Vaucluse home for $18m
The co-owner of Lowes Menwear has listed his Vaucluse home for sale with an $18m guide following an upgrade to a Rose Bay mansion that cost nearly $40m.
Former Fairfax exec lists luxury pad above Delta
A former Fairfax Media chief executive has listed his luxury apartment in the same block as where superstar Delta Goodrem owns.