Adelaide Hotel owner Matthew Irving’s $1.2m plan to revamp historic pub

A historic South Coast pub is set for a huge revamp, with plans bubbling away at council for new accommodation, a drive-through bottle-o and expanded facilities.

The Adelaide Hotel sits on Vulcan St, Moruya. Picture: Tom McGann

The owner of a historic South Coast pub has unveiled a million-dollar plan to revamp the century-old venue, adding additional accommodation, a drive-through bottle shop and expanded facilities.

The Adelaide Hotel, built in 1865 on Vulcan St, Moruya, could soon see major upgrades completed, with owner Matthew Irving’s four-year vision now before Eurobodalla Council.

Mr Irving, who has owned the historic pub for six years, said he was “thrilled” with the progress of his $1.2m proposal.

“When planning the upgrades, we looked at what Moruya needed,” he said.

“Accommodation is in dire need given the tourism market here, so this expansion will bring us to 14 hotel rooms.”

The Adelaide Hotel owner, Matthew Irving. Picture: Supplied

The proposal, currently on public exhibition, also includes a new outdoor stage and bar in the beer garden, a relocated gaming room, a larger bistro and a drive-through bottle shop at the rear of the building.

Development documents tendered to council acknowledge the hotel’s historical significance, however, Mr Irving assured the heritage would be preserved.

The historic Adelaide Hotel was built in 1865. Picture: Development documents

“The storefront and building frontage has historical value and we’re not touching that,” he said.

Development documents reveal the signage, flag pole, business name and overall aesthetic has remained the same since it opened in the 1800s.

“It will stay as it is,” Mr Irving said.

The historic pub owner said he was sure the proposal would pass through Eurobodalla Council, given the plan’s respect for the building’s history and the groundwork already completed behind the scenes.

Plans for the Adelaide Hotel expansions. Picture: Development documents

“We’re really eager to do this,” Mr Irving said.

“I think our patrons will appreciate it and it will new life into the business.”

Development documents reveal this is would not be the first upgrade completed to the historic hotel, with several past proposals previously being approved.

If given the green light, the development would be completed in three stages.

First, 11 new hotel rooms would be constructed, along with moving the gaming area and adding parking, before stages two and three would see kitchen and bar renovations and constriction, as well as the beer garden stage and drive-through bottle shop built.

Mr Irving – who is a builder by trade – said if approved, he and his team would complete the constructions.

The Adelaide Hotel proposal will remain on public exhibition until March 11.

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Originally published as Adelaide Hotel owner Matthew Irving’s $1.2m plan to revamp historic pub