The historic Broken Hill Hotel on Albany Highway in Victoria Park will re-open next month following renovations and restoration works valued at more than $1 million.
The historic Broken Hill Hotel on Albany Highway in Victoria Park will re-open next month following renovations and restoration works valued at more than $1 million.
The Broken Hill is one of the few remaining elaborate, gold rush hotels in Western Australia.
The heritage-listed venue will keep its old façade, but has been refurbished inside, according to hotel director Marty Helean.
The fit-out includes stylish furnishings, with contemporary ideas introduced to complement the façade.
“We wanted to create an atmosphere of a modern hotel while keeping with the tradition of your local pub,” Mr Helean said. “And it appeals to everyone – a place for everyone and a multipurpose venue.”
A terrace, restaurant, beer garden and lounge bar are features of the new establishment.
Mr Helean was formerly general manager of Entertain-ment Enterprises and the Leederville Hotel.
Mr Helean and his business partner and head chef, Clint Hawkes (formerly of Balthazar), consulted with Perth chef Graham Arthur to design the menu for the restaurant.
Messrs Arthur and Hawkes have combined their culinary talents and natural passion for fresh produce to guarantee the best pub food on the south side of the river.
“Each bar will provide a premium selection of wines, cocktails, and the finest quality local, national and international draft beers, along with the Foster’s group on first pour to ensure only the best quality in beverage selection across the board,” Mr Helean said.
“The beer garden will feature a fully serviced bar, bench seating, dining areas and complementary landscaping.
“Both the lounge and main bar rival those of Melbourne and Sydney with presentation features that include a mixture of polished concrete, carpet, timber, mosaics, stone, booth seating, feature walls, plasma screens and artworks.”
And an undercover drive-thru bottle shop, to be built at the rear of the premises and include a small gourmet deli section, will open about two months after the hotel.
Negotiations for the hotel revamp started in February 2004 and construction started in March this year.
“An opportunity presented itself and with Vic Park being one of the largest growth areas, this is what this end of town needs,” Mr Helean said.
