Adelaide Club bid to block licence of new rooftop club above Jamie Oliver’s luxury restaurant Adelaide Club bid to block licence of new rooftop club above Jamie Oliver’s luxury restaurant
Jamie Oliver is opening an Italian restaurant in Adelaide’s former Westpac building. Source: Supplied
ADELAIDE’S elite managed to clip the wings of Jamie Oliver’s new Italian restaurant — and now they are trying to stop a new rooftop bar in the city from opening its doors.
The company that owns the Adelaide Club has lodged a notice of objection to try to block the licence of a new rooftop bar — The Roof on 2KW — above Oliver’s luxury restaurant.
The move comes after the operators of Oliver’s restaurant, in the former Westpac building, next door to the Adelaide Club — reluctantly cut back its opening hours from a planned 2am to midnight following the club’s objection.
Sources said the move was made voluntarily in order to avoid protracted proceedings in the Liquor Licencing Commission that may have delayed its opening later this year.
The Adelaide Club’s objection to the rooftop development is in its conciliation stage in the Liquor Licence Commission and if successful, would block the latest venture by Martin Palmer, one of Adelaide’s most successful hoteliers.
AMAZING PICTURES: Inside Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Adelaide
Widely respected within the industry, Mr Palmer controls many of Adelaide’s most successful licenced venues including The Highway, the Warradale Hotel and Stirling hotel.
He said on Friday that the planned venue, which would include a restaurant and bar, would “showcase the best of SA’s food and wine and pick up the new vibrancy of the city’’.
He said he was still in conciliation with the Adelaide Club over its objection to his licence and he “respected the club’s desire to retain its amenity’’.
“We have been going through a conciliation process in good faith for some time and I am hopeful we will reach a position satisfactory to all parties in the near future,’’ he said.
The objection to the liquor licence for The Roof on KW2 has been lodged by Grass Tree Inc, which owns The Adelaide Club Pty Ltd. The objection to the liquor licence is made on four grounds.
They include that the position or quality of the premises renders them unsuitable to be licenced, and that if the application were to be granted “undue offence, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience to people who reside, work or worship in the vicinity of the premises or proposed premises’’ would be likely to result.
Coincidentally, The Adelaide Club has a development application before Adelaide City Council for “alterations and additions’’ to its premises worth $2.5 million.
Adelaide Club general manager David Boggan and its lawyers, Wallmans, did not return calls from The Advertiser.
THE NEW BOYS
Jamie’s Italian restaurant.
Located in the former Westpac building at 2 King William St, the operators of Oliver’s latest Australian restaurant have promised it will be the “most luxurious, grandest and unique’’ of his Australian sites.
It will feature seasonal local produce and pricing in line with Oliver’s Italian restaurants interstate. There will be an average “all encompassing” spend of $43 per person.
The ground floor banking chamber will house the kitchen, bar, antipasto bar and seating for about 170 diners.
The Adelaide Club at 165 North Terrace. Source: News Limited
The Roof on KW2.
Prominent hotelier Martin Palmer is behind the $3 million venture, planned to open later this year.
Located on the roof of the former Westpac building, it will employ up to 50 staff.
A licence for 260 people is being sought, with a closing time of 2am at peak periods.
The complex will comprise three areas — a restaurant, individual booths and a bar and deck area with a northerly aspect with views over the River Torrens precinct and the Adelaide Oval.
THE OLD BOYS
The Adelaide Club.
The Adelaide Club is an exclusive gentlemen’s club at 165 North Tce in the city.
Founded in 1863, the club comprises members of the Adelaide establishment, politicians, members of the judiciary and wealthy businessmen.
The Club’s headquarters was built in the same year the club was established, and has been continually occupied since 1864.
Facilities include a library, accommodation for members and reciprocal club members, dining rooms, billiards room, function rooms and office facilities.
Source: Herald Sun - 31 May 14
