Manly Pavilion destined for dining makeover?

The Manly Pavilion saga is drawing to a slow close, with a new operator chosen for the waterfront site. Manly Pavilion has sat empty for over three years following the closure of its award-winning restaurant which had racked up sizeable debts. A spokesperson for Roads and Maritime Services confirmed receiver Grant Thornton had "identified a preferred replacement tenant for the remaining term of the 25-year lease."

With the deal subject to "finalisation of legal documentation", the new operator isn't disclosed. Frontrunners for the property, including Cafe Sydney, confirmed they pulled out before tenders were lodged, but the identity of the new operator remains a mystery. Rumours circulating put the winning bid at $6.2million. Dining fans of the site are hoping that, if it has gone to a major functions operator, the upstairs space will remain a restaurant.