Centennial Parklands Restaurant Refurbishment
The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust has approved a major refurbishment of the Centennial Parklands Restaurant, which is to commence on 2 April 2007. This project was identified as a priority under the Trust’s Park Improvement Plan and will be open for business in early autumn 2008.
History of the restaurant facility
This facility has operated over the past 20 years as a restaurant and kiosk serving Centennial Parklands users with food, beverages and other amenities.
Prior to the current building the site was occupied by a facility that provided refreshments to Park visitors from as early as 1892. This brick kiosk was designed by Walter Vernon with a hipped slate roof in the European Arts and Crafts style. This original kiosk was destroyed by fire by the 1940s and re-built shortly after.
In line with the Parklands’ Conservation Management Plan requirements, the refurbishment will respect the heritage of Centennial Park and will be complementary and compatible with the character of the surrounds.
The new facility
The new facility will incorporate a fine dining restaurant, table service café and a takeaway kiosk, as well as upgraded public amenities and a visitor services desk for the Parklands.
The 114-seat restaurant will cater for formal dining, capturing the vista of Centennial Park’s green space, while the 220-seat café will cater for casual dining including a covered outdoor seating area.
The kiosk will cater for the high level daily trade in takeaway food and beverages for walkers, runners, cyclists and more cost conscious visitors to Centennial Park.
The existing male and female amenities buildings located adjacent to the Restaurant will eventually be demolished and replacement public amenities built into the new facility with external and internal entrances.
The project architects are MSJ, who have previously undertaken design work on the Darling Harbour Redevelopment, Powerhouse Museum design, Luna Park amusement precinct development, Entertainment Centre forecourt design and the refurbishment of the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre.
For more information on MSJ visit: www.msjgroup.com.au
Work will begin on the new facility in April 2007 and is expected to be completed in autumn 2008.
Parade Grounds Cafe - a temporary facility
During this period, a temporary cafe will operate adjacent to the current restaurant to maintain continuity of take-away service. It will provide organic coffee and quality food options and be priced similarly to the options that were available from the previous Centennial Parklands kiosk.
The Parade Grounds Cafe is open 7 days, from 7.30 am - 5.00 pm. They can be contacted on (02) 9380 9350.
Click here to see the menu for the temporary Parade Grounds Cafe.
The new licensee
The new licensee for the restaurant (and operators of the temporary cafe) is Trippas White Catering.
Trippas White have built a strong reputation within the restaurant industry and will look to build upon the success of their venues at the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Mint and the National Gallery in Canberra.
The new licensee will bring a commitment to food and service excellence to these world-class parklands with a range of stylish food options.
For more information on Trippas White visit www.trippaswhite.com.au or click here to read our media release.
