Many residents have been driving past Hargraves Nursery and wondering when it will be developed and what it might be. Here are some details which may give you some idea of what to expect.
The DA to redevelop the site was lodged with Hills Shire Council by Isaac Property Developments. Isaac Property Developments became joint investors in the The Boathouse Group in late 2019. Andrew and Pip Goldsmith started The Boathouse Palm Beach in 2008, then grew their restaurant portfolio by adding venues in Balmoral, Manly’s Shelley Beach, Whale Beach, the Barrenjoey Hotel and the Boathouse Hotel Patonga.
Why now open a restaurant Dural when most of their other venues are near the beach? Well maybe it’s because Andrew Goldsmith grew up in Dural.
The DA lodged with Hills Shire Council seeks to retain the existing single storey garden centre building at the front and retain its use as a garden centre. Renovations to that building will include the development of a small takeaway café beside the entrance to the building to serve customers browsing the garden centre shop. The small cottage near the exit will be demolished.
New Flower Store
The existing metal shed adjacent to the entrance at the southern end of the site will be repurposed to a flower store operating in conjunction with the garden centre. It will be improved to accommodate this purpose and consist of a wooden style small barn structure.
New Restaurant/Care
The existing brick and glass panel indoor nursery building will be replaced with an open plan restaurant/cafe single storey building of similar size and style. This building will include dining space for up to 120 patrons and café at the northern corner of the space.
The premises will have sophisticated boutique character focused on high quality food and service. The physical attributes of the building include a glass roof and floor to ceiling glass windows which will enable guests to truly interact with the unique garden centre setting. The restaurant/café will include many features to enhance the dining experience and exceed guest expectations. The menu will provide delicious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a wide variety of meat, chicken, seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
The DA is still under review by Council.
