Manly Cove Pavilion

Item details

Name of item: Manly Cove Pavilion
Type of item: Built
Group/Collection: Recreation and Entertainment
Category: Restaurant (food outlet)
Location: Lat: -33.7991833492 Long: 151.2809441870
Primary address: West Esplanade, Manly, NSW 2095
Local govt. area: Northern Beaches
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Metropolitan
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT2 DP1019352
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
West EsplanadeManlyNorthern Beaches  Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
NSW MaritimeState Government 

Statement of significance:

One of the few remaining harbour pavilion structures of this period and style in Sydney. (Blackmore, Ashton, Higginbotham, Rich, Burton, Maitland, Pike1986)
Date significance updated: 12 Jun 98
Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Physical description: Largely intact exterior retaining the ambience of the interwar Mediterranean style; white painted rendered brick, decorative ceramic tile insets and arched colonnade.(Anglin 1990:1047)

Ferro-concrete two storey tiled roof pavilion built on pier. Colonnade to ground floor. Capitals to columns have fish, shell and acanthus leaf decoration; original wrought iron balustrading between columns beside water.

Pavilion walls have decorative tile inlays using burnt orange and ultramarine ceramic tiles. A Greek key motif pattern is surmounted by semi- circular tiles which is in turn surmounted by ceramic decoration in scrolls and by urns.

There is a strong Spanish influence throughout. The toilet block is of the same period. Special elements include the tile inlay bearing the letter "M", the floral motif in cornice decoration, original tiling to walls and the timber pagoda-style entry.(Blackmore, Ashton, Higginbotham, Rich, Burton, Maitland, Pike1986)
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential:
Good condition. Largely intact exterior retaining the ambience of the interwar Mediterranean style. (Anglin 1990:1047)
Date condition updated:15 Jun 98
Modifications and dates: The original pavilion has undergone interior refurbishment c.1980 - restaurant fitout. (Anglin 1990:1047)
Current use: Restaurant and public amenities
Former use: Dressing pavilion and amenities block

History

Historical notes: Built during the interwar period when Manly was a favourite and fashionable seaside resort. (Anglin 1990:1047)

Sequential development (where known): Parts of Wheeler (1842) and Johnston (1842) grants, erected c.1933 by Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company. (Blackmore, Ashton, Higginbotham, Rich, Burton, Maitland, Pike 1986)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Significant Places: How are significant places marked in the landscape of Parramatta by, or for, different groups?-Monuments and Sites
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Tourism-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of coastal swimming, diving, surfing and sunbathing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages (none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages 20th century Suburban Developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Shaping coastal settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages A Picturesque Residential District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages 20th Century infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Vernacular towns serving a specific industry-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Beautifying towns and villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Developing suburbia-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working on the waterfront-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Interwar Mediterranean-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation (none)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Tourism-

Assessment of significance

SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance]
For its associations with the early 20th century developments of the Manly seaside resort.(Anglin1990:1047)

The sandstone pillar is a relic from past maritime activity and is evidence of Sydney Harbour's nautical development and early evidence of interest in retaining and re-using old buildings. (Travis 1986)

Further research required.
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance]
As an intact example of the interwar Mediterranean style.(Anglin 1990:1047)
SHR Criteria d)
[Social significance]
To be assessed - further research required.
SHR Criteria e)
[Research potential]
To be assessed - further research required.
SHR Criteria g)
[Representativeness]
One of few remaining harbour pavilion structures of this period and style in Sydney.(Blackmore, Ashton, Higginbotham, Rich, Burton, Maitland, Pike 1986)
Integrity/Intactness: Largely intact exterior.(Anglin 1990:1047)
Assessment criteria: Items are assessed against the PDF State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
CMP-EndorseConservation Plan submitted for endorsementManly Bathers Pavilion, West Esplanade, Manly NSW 2092 (Noel, Bell Ridley Smith and Partners, April 2002) Jun 21 2005
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard Exemptions HERITAGE ACT 1977

ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL

I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977:

revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and

grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A.

This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette.

Dated this 29th day of October 2025
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC
Minister for Heritage

For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.
Nov 7 2025

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0143318 Apr 00   
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register 4920001   
Local Environmental Plan LEP198816 Sep 88 1454916
Within a conservation area on an LEP Manly UCA24 Sep 97   
Heritage study  01 Jan 86   

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Heritage Study:Municipality of Manly1986 C.Blackmore, P.Ashton, E.Higginbotham, E.Rich, C.Burton, N.Maitland, P.Pike  No
Maritime Services Board Heritage and Conservation Register : Sydney Harbour19901047Anglin Associates  No
Marine Ministerial Holding Corporation S170 Register1999 Heritage Unit, Department of Public works & Services  Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenLiddle, David2004Pavilion, Manly Cove : archival photographic heritage record (or: Manly Bathers Pavilion: archival photographic heritage record) View detail
WrittenNBRS & Partners (Noel Bell Ridley Smith & Partners)2002Manly bathers pavilion west Esplanade, Manly NSW 2092 : conservation management plan View detail

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

rez rez rez
(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5051352
File number: H02/00197


Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.