The Harbord Hotel is a Freshwater Beach institution that has been transformed from a casual, no-frills establishment into an uber-cool vintage-style venue. Taking cues from its long-standing surfing history we complemented the beachy vibe of each space by choosing tactile, organic decor pieces, in combination with a warm, natural colour palette that works effortlessly with the beautiful timber tones featured throughout. We can't wait to get back there very soon...
Interior design by Alexander & Co. Photography by Anson Smart. Styling by STUDIO CD.
THE HOTEL’S BEACHY, VINTAGE STYLE DRAWS ON THE LONG-STANDING SURFING HISTORY OF FRESHWATER AND ITS CLAIM AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE SPORT IN AUSTRALIA.
When it was known as the Harbord Beach Hotel, it was a casual, no-frills outfit set up to serve lazy beers by the surf and a stomping ground for Manly Sea Eagles fans. In late 2020, it got a dramatic glow up, emerging as a gleaming, white-washed venue made as much for fancy long lunches as it is for sinking a low-key lager by prime sea frontage.
Designed in collaboration with interiors studio Alexander and Co, the hotel's beachy, vintage style draws on the long-standing surfing history of Freshwater and its claim as the birthplace of the sport in Australia. A mural by local Northern Beaches artist Ash Holmes takes pride of place at the front, with nearby racks for the beach-tanned set to throw their boards on and settle in for a snack on the terrace.
Inside is an expansive main bar, bright, indoor dining spaces and a sun-filled terrace. Food is headed up by chef and Freshwater local Adam Rust (ex-12 Micron) and aims to capture the quintessential easy, breezy surf culture of America while anchoring it to Australian pub fare. It's the kind of place you can imagine lingering over a long lunch which turns seamlessly into a wine at sundown until somehow, you're still there for dinner, and you haven't noticed the light has faded around you and the gulls have left for nightfall.
“TO MOVE FORWARD WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE PAST, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM A DEFINING MOMENT FOR AUSTRALIA AND THE FRESHWATER COMMUNITY: WHEN THE AMERICANS CAME FOR THE MELBOURNE OLYMPICS IN 1956 AND BROUGHT A MALIBU SURFBOARD MADE OF BALSAWOOD.”
INGREDIENTS
Furniture, Art & Decor – Montmartre Store, Anibou Furniture, Armadillo & Co., Domo, Art 2 Muse Gallery, Curatorial & Co, Great Dane, Greg Natale, Spence & Lyda, Fred International, Oliver Thom, Manyara Home, Polite Society, Maison Balzac.