Team Laundy has welcomed a sizeable portion of western Sydney through the doors of the brand-new Log Cabin Hotel Penrith, for a look at the return of a legend.
Established way back in 1826, when an enterprising ferryman built somewhere for travellers waiting to cross the raging Nepean River to rest and have a drink, the pub was first known as the Emu Ford Hotel.
Over time it was named the Wilsons Emu Ferry Inn, Pineapple Inn, The King George IV, Log House, Governor Bourke Hotel, Riverside Inn, and from the mid-80s the Log Cabin.
But heartbreak struck for much of the region when the Log Cabin was destroyed by a fire in 2012. For years it remained idle and an eyesore to the riverside site.
In early 2020 Arthur Laundy announced he had secured the property, planning a greenfield rebuild and tribute, in partnership with friends the Cottle and Wearn families.
Construction on the new $16 million hotel was by FDC Construction, Laundy’s chosen partner for his run of greenfields.
A ground-breaking ceremony took place early 2021, with completion slated for early 2022. Present was the previous owner of many decades, Ross Sinclair, and official guests Mayor of Penrith Cr Karen McKeown OAM, and Member for Penrith the Hon. Stuart Ayres.
Ayres suggested the milestone was “almost like a healing process” for the local community.
The shiny new Log Cabin stands beside the new bridge of Penrith City Council’s riverside precinct, which is a pillar of The Great River Walk masterplan.
Last week a pre-opening party welcomed hundreds of invited guests, ahead of the grand opening on the weekend.
The two-storey Hotel, designed by Team2 Architecture, incorporates bars and spaces indoor and outdoor, including an expansive beer garden and cantilevered balcony over the bank of the river boasting panoramic views and sunsets over the mountains.
The downstairs Regatta Bar is geared to families, offering traditional pub classics and the new ‘Loggie Train’ kids’ play area, while cocktails are served at Darwin’s Rest.
Upstairs provides a modern Australian restaurant, Sinclair’s, partnering with local producers from the Greater Nepean Region, as well as a bar that services the two verandas, plus a space for functions or entertainment – or simply overflow from downstairs. Opening weekend saw times when patrons had to be stopped at the gate, as the pub was at capacity.
Proud patriarch Arthur Laundy says the new digs have been going “through the roof” as all the locals file in for a first look. The feedback and response on social media has been excellent, and in just four days well over $200k was taken over the bar.
“It’s going great guns. Very promising. The figures are just mind-blowing,” says Laundy.
But there’s been a hiccup in paradise.
“We can’t open the fine-dining restaurant upstairs yet. It’s all ready to go, but we’re looking for fine-dining staff and don’t have the staff to open it yet,” explains the pub veteran.
Over the weekend it was all hands on deck at the new venture. Danielle Laundy and husband Shane Richardson joined Craig Laundy and his wife Suzie and son-in-law and Laundy Group GM Justin Tynan, alongside the Group head of HR and head of marketing and an array of managers, working virtually from open to close, “flat out all day and night”.
It’s reached the point where almost anyone applying for a job at the Log Cabin will get a run.
“it’s been a real Laundy team effort out there, right through from my office staff onwards, keeping the place mobile.
“All the people out there just love it, and many people want to be part of it and work with us, but I still need more of them!”
Beautiful place had my sisters wake there absolutely beautiful staff was fantastic and so helpful couldn’t have made it any memorable thank you such from bottom my heart great work.by all.