Mayor opens Fenwick restaurant and art gallery

Monday, 22 July 2019

The iconic 1880s sandstone building, which sits at the end of Darling Street beside Balmain East Ferry Wharf, has important links with Balmain and its ship building history.

Also known as Bell’s Store, the site was for many years a base for Fenwick & Co, a tug boat operator that was one of the longest running waterfront industries on the Peninsula.

It is the latest addition to Sydney restaurateur Bill Drakopolous’s hospitality empire, which includes Aqua Dining, Ormeggio at The Spit, LuMi Bar and Dining, Ripples Milson Point, Ripples Chowder Bay, The Nielsen at Valcluse, Via Alta, Chiosco by Ormeggio and Jardin St James.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that he delighted the iconic building has been given a new lease of life.

“I was very excited to officially open The Fenwick - it is close to the prettiest restaurant in Sydney and will become a gateway to Balmain and the Inner West.

“Balmain will finally have a top notch harbourside restaurant, with the most spectacular vista of the world's greatest harbour.

“I have every confidence that renowned restaurateur Bill Drakopolous and his team will create a great culinary destination for locals and people across Sydney that will help boost our whole main street hospitality sector,” said Mayor Byrne.

For media enquiries, contact Kate Walsh | P: +61 2 9392 5685 | E: Kate.Walsh@innerwest.nsw.gov.au