Balmain's Historic Fenwick Building Is Set to be Transformed Into a Cafe and Gallery Space

The historic Balmain East sandstone building, best known as The Fenwick, will enjoy a new lease on life come winter. The coveted waterfront digs have been snapped up by restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos (Ripples, Ormeggio at The Spit, Aqua Dining, Jardin St James), who'll reimagine the space as as a multifaceted cafe and gallery space.

Boasting sweeping views of Barangaroo, Luna Park and the Sydney Opera House, the heritage-listed site will soon be named The Fenwick Balmain and will be home to a casual and contemporary cafe, as well as an adjoining gallery space.

While the finer details are still being finalised, expect to find showings by local artists, a lineup of creative events held in conjunction with local galleries and community groups, and a public exhibition diving into the area's (and the building's) rich history when the space reopens mid-year. If all goes to plan, there'll also be historical walking tours and heritage photography exhibitions as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.

The Fenwick, formerly called the J. Fenwick & Co Boat Store, was built in the 1880s for original use as a tugboat store. A number of private development proposals were submitted and rejected over the building's century-long-life, before it was acquired by the former Leichhardt Council in 2003 — it's now owned by the amalgamated Inner West Council — thanks to a campaign by local Balmain East residents. It has since undergone millions of dollars of restoration works.

While the lease has been signed, Greens Councillor — and former Leichhardt Mayor — Rochelle Porteous has criticised it and has written a formal letter of opposition to Council. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne assured residents in a Facebook post that the new-look Fenwick will be opening this year.

The Fenwick is slated to open at 2–8 Weston Street, Balmain East, by mid-2019. We'll keep you updated when we know more details.