John Azar’s Good Beer Co has negotiated an outcome to retain signage emblazoned on the landmark Union Hotel, ordered removed last year.
The group (GBC) bought the Art-Deco-style two-storey pub on a prominent 784sqm corner of the Pacific Highway in early 2021 from long-timers the Gallaghers, for a reported $20 million. GBC already operated the nearby Commodore Hotel, purchased in 2019, and also holds the deeds at The Harold, and at Surry Hills beer mecca the Keg & Brew.
In response to complaints by local residents, early 2022 North Sydney Council inspectors attended the Union, finding signs including for the TAB and ‘VIP’ room had been installed without approval from their planning department.
In May Council ordered the removal of 60 signs from the frontage, on the basis that they caused adverse streetscape issues and were “visually intrusive”. Aspects were also not in line with planning standards for the heritage-listed pub.
“The signs detract from the character and significance of the property, which is a heritage item,” said the order, also noting its contrast to other businesses in the precinct.
“The proliferation of signage covering the glazed windows and doors is also uncharacteristic to the locality and considered by council to be unacceptable.”
GBC faced fines of up to $50k if it did not comply with the order.
But in October the group submitted a DA to council with justification to retain most of the signage, suggesting it would improve and complement the 90-year-old building.
Council refused the application in December, and GBC opted to further pursue its position with an appeal to the Land & Environment Court. The DA was also amended to improve elements deemed particularly egregious by Council.
L&E ultimately found the amended DA not in breach of development standards, and that the remaining signage would not have an unacceptable impact on the heritage hotel.
The DA was approved – with conditions, notably that signage must not flash or have a negative impact on “the amenity of the neighbourhood”, and must not be illuminated between 1am and 7am.