NSW South Coast set for unique dining makeover

Approximately 1,000 sqm of prime retail space at The Waterfront, Shell Cove has been snapped up by Balmoral Hospitality.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove is a masterplanned community surrounded by beaches, parks and wetlands, but also boasting crucial infrastructure such schools, transport and major centres.

Through this acquisition, Balmoral, the Waterfront Tavern owner-operator is promising to bring a unique dining and social experience to the NSW South Coast.

Balmoral Hospitality purchased the space in the harbourfront dining precinct, with plans to feature up to eight complementary food and beverage tenancies fronting the harbour’s edge.

Balmoral is now looking for high quality tenancies and new concepts to fill the space, with an eye to opening in 2021. This will coincide with the opening of the new Shellharbour Marina.

The space gives Balmoral Hospitality over 2000 sqm of internal space, along with its outdoor dining areas at The Waterfront, Shell Cove.

Shellharbour City Council Mayor Marianne Saliba said of Balmoral’s commitment to the area, “It is a testament to the quality of The Waterfront development that Balmoral Hospitality has agreed to take control of the dining precinct and expand its interests in the area. The group really understands and shares the vision we have for Shell Cove.

“The Waterfront dining precinct is set to become the next King Street Wharf, next to a harbour which will be a third larger than Sydney’s Darling Harbour upon completion.

“This dining precinct will enhance the tourism possibilities for Shell Cove while providing plenty of local employment opportunities for our community. We estimate there will be a mix of 150 to 200 casual, part-time and full-time jobs when the precinct opens in mid-2021 together with the tavern,” she says.

Joel Fisher and Andrew Denmeade, the men behind Balmoral Hospitality, have a long history of creating high quality hospitality experiences, particularly in the Illawarra region. Balmoral is the Central Hotel in Shellharbour (awarded Country Hotel of the Year 2013), as well as the Figtree Hotel in Figtree and the award-winning Headlands Hotel at Austinmer Beach. They are also associated with the Gregory Hills Hotel, just outside the region, and have received awards for the Engadine Tavern in Engadine, Royal Oak Hotel at Double Bay and Caves Beachside Hotel at Lake Macquarie. 

“With the tavern and dining precinct, we are in a great position to shape the future dining and socialising experience at The Waterfront, playing a long-term role in the local community while creating a world class tourist destination for visitors from afar,” Denmeade said.

Along with potential operators with creative and entrepreneurial ideas, Balmoral would like to hear from Chefs and managers to find out more about this new opportunity.

Balmoral will consider everything from craft brewers, tapas bars, international cuisines and more.

Simone Dyer, Development Director Shell Cove, Frasers Property Australia is also excited by the prospect.

“Balmoral Hospitality will bring a wholistic dining offer to the new community to ensure the food and beverage mix at The Waterfront will cater to all locals, tourists, families and tastes. The team has the passion, the experience, the business expertise and, importantly, they understand the vision we have to make this area a local icon and a regional tourism hotspot,” Ms Dyer said.