Residents oppose the demolition of a Lewisham Pub

BY SORAYA PEREZ MOHAMMED AND ALEX YUJIN
A historic pub in Lewisham is feared to be the next casualty of Sydney’s relentless real estate development machine.
The Huntsbury Hotel was built in the 1800s and is one of Sydney’s oldest pubs. It was heritage listed by the former Marrickville Council.
A developer now wants to add an additional three storeys to the building for apartments. But Scott MacArthur, a heritage architect and President of the Marrickville Heritage Society, says the additions will completely change the building’s facade, resulting in the loss of a crucial piece of history.
“The proposed additional floors are out character with the original facades,” he said.
The plan for the Huntsbury Hotel is also alleged to breach several local council codes, including height and floor space ratio.
Mr MacArthur said the developer was trying to avoid complying with council codes by claiming it was necessary for “repairs”.
But conveniently, the plan would also allow the number of tiny apartments crammed onto the site to be significantly upped.
“The Society does not believe that such a non-compliant overdevelopment is appropriate for this significant building, and council should not approve it in its current form,” said Mr MacArthur.
He said any alteration to the building should respect the character of surrounding heritage streetscapes and neighborhoods.
Members of the community and local patrons are also dismayed at the plans to wipe out the iconic pub. Several residents voiced concern that a slew of new apartments will be disastrous for the area, bringing chaos and parking problems.
“This building is part of our community, it is one of the oldest in Sydney, it is part of our history too,” said John Mcarthur.
“A six-storey apartment block will collapse everything because there is not enough space to park. I guess if they turn it into a residential building this place will no longer be a quiet area,” said Tom Richardson, a hotel patron.
While some may think that building more apartments is good for the housing crisis, in fact it actually pushes rental prices up further.
Greens candidate Emma Heyde said in a recent statement “There is a myth that more development solves the problem of people on average incomes not being able to afford housing close to where they work.
“We’ve seen massive apartment developments go up – but prices are going up just as fast,” she said.
Premier for NSW Gladys Berejiklian earlier this year announced a five point plan to target housing affordability, but Sydney residents are still waiting for any meaningful progress.
Property Council NSW Executive Director Jane Fitzgerald said they were waiting for the government to initiate action on the plan.
“Property Council members stand ready to build the houses NSW needs,” she said. “We just need the government to take the policy and budget decisions to meet us half way.”
“The Huntsbury Hotel is a landmark on New Canterbury Road, and is close to two important Conservation Areas, the Lewisham Estate and the Petersham Retail Precinct,” said Mr MacArthur.
He said the hotel was of significant aesthetic significance as a Victorian period hotel. The Huntsbury is one of Sydney’s last remaining relics of 20th century pubs.