Fenwick Store renovation recognised with prestigious Heritage Award Win
Monday, 13 May 2019
Inner West Council’s refurbishment of The Fenwick Store in Birchgrove is continuing to make waves – in the right way. The Balmain icon has won an ‘adaptive reuse’ National Trust Heritage Award for its combination of fine dining and art gallery space.
The refurbishment and adaptation of the heritage building on the Birchgrove foreshore took out the prestigious honour over a number of high profile projects including the renovation of the State Library of NSW.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the award was well-earned recognition of the work Council had put into ensuring a high standard renewal of The Fenwick Store.
“We are custodians of this iconic piece of Sydney’s heritage and have made sure that we got this refurbishment right,” he said.
“Apparently Heritage NSW agreed, with The Fenwick winning out over a host of top quality adaptive re-use projects in NSW.
“We can’t wait for the new café The Fenwick, which will be operated by noted Sydney restaurateur Bill Drakopolous, to open in July so that locals and other Sydney-siders can enjoy this beautiful location.”
Inner West Council, Welsh + Major Architects, City Plan Heritage and AJ Bristow and Sons worked on restoring the building following community consultation to allow it to be used as a café with a gallery space.
Works included:
- Internal works including a new timber ground floor, internal stairs and entry points
- Construction of a new kitchen space
- New public amenities
- Landscaping
The former Leichhardt Council opened the space surrounding the historic building as a landscaped foreshore park in 2012.
The iconic sandstone building recently joined the ranks of top restaurateur Bill Drakopolous’ Sydney Restaurant Group which includes Aqua Dining, Ormeggio at The Spit, LuMi Bar and Dining, Ripples Milson Point, Ripples Chowder Bay, The Nielsen at Vaucluse, Sotto Sopra and Jardin St James.
Inner West Council was also Highly Commended in the Heritage Events, Exhibitions and Tours category for the Built Environment Awards.
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