Big plans afoot for waterfront hospitality north of Sydney
Restaurateur and publican Ben May has teamed up with hospitality veteran Rob Domjen to go on a buying spree of waterfront hospitality venues north of Sydney.
May was cashed up after selling his Manly Wharf Hotel in June and is behind Sydney venue Mrs Sippy, which he took to Bali. He also owns the Burleigh Pavilion in south-east Queensland.
“I feel like I’m more of a restaurateur these days than a hotelier,” he told Good Food.
May and Domjen have plans to refurbish a beloved Boathouse at Palm Beach and a beachside mega-venue at Terrigal.
The pair has already snapped up the site of the Reef Restaurant and Cove Cafe, which has been marked for the multi-level Terrigal Pavilion.
They have also taken hold of a waterfront eatery overhanging Pittwater at Palm Beach.
May and Domjen’s Boathouse Group has nine venues, from Patonga to Rose Bay.
The boat shed refurbishment will cost around $7 million.
“It was built in 1947, we’ll bring back the original name, the Barrenjoey Boatshed. It’ll be a smart cafe,” May said.
“We’re trying to avoid the cliche boat shed look, but it’ll still have a coastal feel.”
May will transplant some of his Bar Tropic restaurant vibe into the Terrigal venue with a $5 million refit before opening Terrigal Pavilion.
“We’ll listen to the locals, get a feel for what they want. There’ll be a casual restaurant upstairs, and we’ll keep the kiosk downstairs. It’s in an incredible position, north facing and tucked into Haven Cove.”
May and Domjen take possession of the Terrigal site later this year and will open the Terrigal Pavilion in late 2024.
Barrenjoey Boatshed is expected to open on December 1, 2023.
Jonathan Jackson, 8th August 2023
