The site 20 Memorial Avenue, Penrith, has been utilised for hospitality for over 200 years, and was most recently operating as the Log Cabin Hotel, which burnt down in 2012.
Pub baron Arthur Laundy is now set to invest $35M redeveloping the venue. He will also acquire two more sites at Jordan Springs in Sydney’s west that will be used for major pub developments.
A consortium comprising Laundy Hotels, the Cottle family and local businessman Rob Wearn are behind the project.
The approved project will include a fine dining restaurant, function room space, beer garden, cocktail bar and an external deck to provide patrons with views of the Nepean River.
The approved plans come eight years after it was destroyed by fire. Revellers could be celebrating at the new venue as early as January or February 2022, with building expected to start in 2021.
Owner Craig Laundy, of Laundy Hotels, said he has never bought a site with such a strong iconic history and anticipation for its revival.
The new design consists of a two-storey hotel featuring indoor and outdoor bars and dining areas overlooking the Nepean River and an expansive beer garden and children’s playground with fine dining and function areas upstairs.
The panel received 25 submissions during the consultation period, 24 objecting to some or all of the proposal. Concerns raised would be managed and mitigated by conditions of consent and were “not of such significance” to warrant refusal of the application.
The panel disagreed with Penrith Council’s recommendation to reduce the closing time from 2am to midnight on Thursdays to Saturdays, agreeing to continue the existing hours of operation held over the site instead. As a condition of consent, a courtesy bus must be available and on call whenever the premises is open for business.
The applicant must establish a community liaison committee to meet with neighbours at least monthly.
