Inner West Pubs Heritage Study

The pubs of the Inner West are prominent, well-loved and long-standing institutions with considerable value to the local community and beyond.

Since 2021 GML has worked with Inner West Council to ensure pubs with heritage significance are afforded the protection they deserve. This came after several iconic Inner West pubs were targeted for conversion into other business uses, including the historic Town Hall Hotel in Balmain.

GML was engaged by Council to undertake a heritage study of 29 historical pubs in the Inner West to identify the venues that have heritage value to the Inner West. GML consultants inspected the 29 pubs, viewing interiors where access was provided by pub owners and managers. A history of each pub was prepared, and preliminary recommendations reviewed by an internal panel of experts at GML. A thematic history of pubs in the Inner West was also prepared to provide background to the growth of pubs in the area and to assist with identifying their significant values. In total GML shortlisted 27 pubs based on our preliminary findings.

GML then undertook a detailed heritage assessment of the 27 shortlisted pubs against the NSW heritage significance assessment criteria. All 27 pubs were found to have heritage significance to the Inner West and were recommended for heritage listing. GML also prepared individual heritage inventory sheets for each pub, and final recommendations for heritage listing.

Since 2023 Inner West Council has worked with pub owners and the community to move forward with the heritage listings, and in June 2024 has now resolved to finalise the listing of 22 of the pubs.