The Newport
leisure°
The Newport is a vibrant gathering place and landmark of the Northern Beaches, since 1880. It is located on the shores of Pittwater, Sydney. The project was commissioned by the Merivale Group, with architecture by Akin Atelier.
The Newport opened in 2016.
Size: 4,000m2
Budget: $15,000,000
Scope: Masterplan, Concept Design, Detail Documentation, Construction
Waterfront alfresco in Pittwater
Cactus garden at the Burger Shack
‘An open-air food festival in Australia’s largest waterfront beer garden.’
- Terry Durack, Sydney Morning Herald
Alfresco market food stall
Aerial view
A beer garden transformed
1. Outdoor entertainment deck overlooking Pittwater (above left)
2. All indoor and outdoor spaces are fluid and connected (below left)
3. An elevated garden walk (right)
The pétanque court transforms for the evenings
The fountain pond is a playful centre-piece and cools the summer air
‘One
of the
most
iconic
venues
in
the country,
The
Newport
embraces
the
natural
beauty
of t
he n
orthern
beaches
and
the generous
spirit
of
the
local
community.’
- Tourism Sydney
1. Main entry garden walk (above left)
2. Each outdoor space has its own style and personality (below left)
3. Agave weberi (right)
The new landscape includes an extensive array of transplanted mature trees, palms, cacti and shrubs
Quintessential northern beaches
Burger shack garden
1. Fred’s’ eclectic styling (above left)
2. Main dining room (below left)
3. Restaurant entry lobby (right)
Design Statement
Entrepreneur Charles Edward Jeanneret first established the Newport Hotel in 1880. The Hotel and former beer gardens waterfront location and stunning Pittwater views, made it a locals go-to for decades and a well loved and renowned institution on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Purchased by Merivale in 2015, Justin Hemmes invited Akin Atelier and 360 Degrees to work with him and his Merivale design team to development a Masterplan for the next chapter of this iconic establishment. For the landscape, the site’s substantial trees and palms formed the basis of an entirely new garden. One that enhances the fundamental connection to its iconic Pittwater location, and at the same time, makes a diverse series of character gardens associated with the various F&B and entertainment offerings. The Masterplan is brought to life with extensive detail, including an entirely new ground plane and levels, walls, a petanque court, fire pits, a fountain, suspended entertainment deck and stage, a vine cloaked arbour, pots, lighting and extensive planting of over 2,500 specimens including mature trees, palms, exotic shrubs and unique cacti.
Reopened in 2016, the result is a new paradigm for the traditional Australian beer garden - one that is more socially inclusive and genuinely landscape based. It is not a ‘beer garden’ but a diverse and sophisticated, multi-generational F&B and entertainment offering in an expansive garden setting. The Newport has the atmosphere and function of a community space and is again the centerpiece of social life on the northern beaches.
