The City of Newcastle has completed a $1.8 million adaptive reuse project at the state-heritage-listed Shepherds Hill Cottage, transforming the 1890s former military mess hall into Newcastle’s newest coastal hospitality asset, Eddie’s. Positioned along the Bathers Way coastal corridor, the revitalisation marks the first time in the site’s 130-year history that the military defense building has opened for public access as a commercial venue.

The adaptive reuse program was executed following severe structural damage sustained during the 2015 regional superstorm, which forced long-term tenant Marine Rescue NSW to vacate. That service was permanently relocated to a $3 million, purpose-built two-level maritime emergency command centre in Stockton in December 2023, clearing the pathway for the municipality to redevelop the historic Bathers Way footprint.

The final $465,000 restoration phase was backed by the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. Construction crews integrated a commercial kitchen, DDA-compliant entry pathways, upgraded customer amenities and heritage interpretation signage into the timber structure while preserving its state-significant architectural features.

Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Gavin Morris noted that repurposing legacy public assets provides a dual dividend by maintaining cultural heritage and unlocking new commercial activation along key pedestrian precincts.

“Shepherds Hill Cottage has been a fixture of the coastline for more than 130 years and has played many roles in Newcastle’s history, but remarkably has never been open to the public like it will be from tomorrow,” Gavin said.

“It was previously occupied by Defence and then Marine Rescue NSW in years gone by, but has never been somewhere that anyone could walk in and visit, so giving another heritage location back to the community to enjoy is a special moment. It is a beautiful spot on Bathers Way to pause for coffee and a bite to eat, a well-deserved reward at the top of the hill for those who walk, ride or run past here.”

Interim Executive Director of Corporate Services, Kathleen Hyland stated that municipal capital allocations behind historical properties must balance conservation principles with sustainable commercial viability.

“We think the community will be impressed with how the project has sympathetically adapted the Cottage for a new use, while showcasing and preserving the important heritage elements that tell the 130-year story of the site,” Kathleen said.

“City of Newcastle’s investment of more than $1.8 million to restore and re-use the space shows how we are revitalising community assets in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of, while also providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive.”

The venue is operated by local hospitality entrepreneurs Noah Leonard and Blake Gontier of Noke Group, who collaborated with design studio More Atelier to fit out the space. The opening expands the City of Newcastle’s commercial property leasing model, which has recently activated municipal land assets including Sunnyboy Park at Foreshore Park, First Light Café at Lambton Park, and Hilliers Café at the Newcastle Art Gallery.

Co-founder of Noke Group, Noah Leonard said the fit-out prioritises site heritage while establishing a high-end food and beverage footprint along the coastal thoroughfare.

“It’s been a long road to get here, so we’re excited to finally open the doors and welcome the community in,” Noah said.

“Alongside More Atelier, we’ve put a lot of work into creating a venue that respects the history of the site while giving locals and visitors somewhere great to eat, relax and enjoy one of Newcastle’s most iconic locations.”

The cottage forms a core component of the Newcastle Recreation Reserve and Shepherds Hill Defence Group Military Installations precinct on the NSW State Heritage Register. Originally constructed to defend Newcastle’s coal export harbor, the installation remains the only coastal defense post in Australia crewed simultaneously by the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Air Force during World War II.

State Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp stated that state-level capital subsidies play a critical role in turning historical reserves into vibrant public assets.

“Shepherds Hill Cottage has important Newcastle history in its walls,” Tim said.

“It has been great to support this project which has helped to unlock this beautiful site’s potential and be of great benefit to Novocastrians and tourists alike.”

IMAGE | City of Newcastle completes $1.8 million restoration of heritage-listed Shepherds Hill Cottage as hospitality operator launches Eddie’s