Signature Wollongong buys Charcoal Tavern name

MMJ project marketing manager Maurice Bertapelle said the developers of the Regent Street site have just purchased the name with the intent of creating a new restaurant as part of the 21-storey “vertical village”, branded as Signature Wollongong.

“They wanted to add a bit of nostalgia,” Mr Morris said.

Wollongong’s tallest building will house 125 apartments as well as several retail spaces. The childcare centre has already been sold to a major franchise while a day spa is also up for the taking - either by lease or sale.

Mr Bertapelle said there were also plans for a grand penthouse with 360 degree views taking up the entire top level and expected it to produce a “record sale” for the region.

At its peak the Charcoal Tavern was voted the NSW's best southern region restaurant five years in a row and was subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The heritage-listed building was knocked down by previous developers in 2007.

The new $43.5 million design is by architect Tony Owen Partners for Chinese-backed Supomme Property Development Pty Ltd.

Construction of Signature is expected to commence in 2017 and be completed within 24 months.