THE HISTORIC Awaba House is set to rise from the ashes as work begins on a multi-million dollar restoration project designed to breathe life back into the 19th Century Booragul gem.
And, the hunt is on for a restaurateur who can deliver an unparalleled dining experience for the Hunter and host weddings and events at the picturesque site.
Awaba House was ravaged by fire in 2019 and has sat derelict on the shores of Lake Macquarie, until now.
A cost blow-out of $2.6 million saw councillors grapple with the decision to press ahead with the project earlier this year, but mayor Kay Fraser said she was determined to see the council's commitment to the community through.
"It's part of our history, it's part of our heritage, so we want to make sure it remains here," she said.
"We've spoken to the community for over a year and a half about the designs and what it's going to look like, so obviously we made that commitment, we were never going to go back on that."
The total bill for the project skyrocketed to $7.8m due to "significantly higher" than expected tenders that dwarfed the $5.2m the council had set aside.
The build will have an improved dining area with modern kitchen and bar facilities, a dedicated space for weddings and events and expansive outdoor terraces overlooking the lake.
BKA Architecture designer Allison Burrows said Awaba House was a rare gem.
"As a Lake Macquarie local, I was very drawn to this project," she said.
"Awaba House stood out to me as a unique project because it combines amazing heritage with modern architecture, which can be absolutely beautiful in unison.
"We've created a building that sings to its past and exemplifies an exciting future through a succinct, simple and elegant design."
The facade of the heritage-listed site will be maintained in the restoration, which will be overseen Australian company Baseline Projects.
The council's deputy chief executive, Tony Farrell, said the project came with challenges.
"All of the construction techniques that were used on the original building in 1927, most of those have passed on," he said.
"The building has also been damaged by the fire, so it's also quite fragile, and everything they do now inside the building has to be done with great care, it's a really tricky job for them.
"I don't envy them, but they've got a great history of working on projects like this and we're very confident they will get us a good result."
Tenders opened this week for expressions of interest to operate the restaurant, and Mr Farrell said the council was looking for someone who could "make their mark on the site".
"They've got a beautiful building and an amazing location, so whoever operates this restaurant will also have to be up to a great standard," he said.
Expressions of interest close Wednesday, September 11. The restoration project is expected to be completed by late 2025.
