Just open: Bitter & Twisted

Two prized buildings in the shadows of Millers Point have been sitting curiously empty in recent years, the puzzle heightened by massive interest in the area and nearby redevelopment.

When one-time food jewel Palisade Hotel closed about five years ago, there was talk of a redesign but that has never eventuated.

Likewise the historic sandstone Weighbridge building at 9 Towns Place has been shuttered for nearly three years.

"I can see why no one took this on," says Vic Altiok who has just opened Bitter & Twisted cafe at the Weighbridge building.

"I had to get everything approved by strata, council, Sydney Ports Authority and the landlord," he says of the layers of red tape required to open in the building - named after the formal weighing of goods before they were loaded on ships.

The arrival of the cafe in the building solves one local mystery, but what about the other?

"Word is the Palisade is for sale," Altiok says.