Historic Awaba House to begin new chapter following restoration
Leading hospitality operator The Catering Group secures lease to historical venue
Lake Macquarie, NSW, March 2026 – One of Lake Macquarie’s most recognised heritage venues, Awaba House, has secured an experienced hospitality operator ahead of its highly anticipated reopening. Commercial Collective was engaged by Lake Macquarie City Council to lead the marketing campaign and operator selection process, resulting in a five-year lease to The Catering Group.
Located on the shores of Lake Macquarie, Awaba House is currently in the final stages of a multi-million-dollar refurbishment designed to restore the building’s historic character while introducing contemporary hospitality amenities. Following the devastating fire in 2019, which significantly impacted this much-loved local landmark, the restoration of Awaba House has been approached with care and respect, honoring its past while reimagining its future.
Once complete, the revitalised venue will feature a 120-seat function space, full commercial kitchen, dining bar anteroom, restaurant space, alfresco deck and modern guest facilities, creating a premium dining and events destination on the lake. A key architectural feature of the redevelopment is the striking rammed earth wall, which grounds the building in its natural surroundings and provides a tactile connection to the landscape. The venue also benefits from its proximity to the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, which attracts more than 30,000 visitors annually and further strengthens the area’s cultural and tourism appeal.
The campaign generated strong market interest, attracting over 53 enquiries, with the community showing a large amount of enthusiasm for the council’s plans for the venue. There has been a clear sense of anticipation from both the local community and the hospitality industry, with many recognising the significance of bringing Awaba House back to life. As Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region continue to grow, there is increased demand for high quality venues such as this, and the lakeside location presents this opportunity higher than most.
The successful operator, The Catering Group, is a premier hospitality provider with experience managing cafés, bistros and event spaces across Sydney and the Central Coast. Operating a portfolio of five established venues and employing a team of more than 80 staff, the group specialises in delivering diverse dining experiences ranging from casual café service through to large-scale event catering.
The Catering Group’s portfolio includes venues such as Iluka on Baywater in Wentworth Point, Mazi at Lantern Club in Roselands, Gather at Springwood Sports, Martha’s Café at Pennant Hills Netball Association, and Theos at The Greens in The Entrance. Across these locations, the group manages high-volume dining operations, corporate catering and large community events, with venues collectively serving thousands of guests each week.
A focus on Native Australian cuisine, sustainable sourcing and versatile event management aligns strongly with the vision for Awaba House as a sophisticated dining and events destination capable of hosting weddings, corporate functions and community gatherings for up to 120 guests.
“Our vision for Awaba House is to create a destination that is both refined and welcoming, somewhere that celebrates the history of the building while delivering a contemporary dining and events experience that connects people to the lake and the land,” said Greg Barclay, Director at The Catering Group.
“We see this as more than just a restaurant, it’s an opportunity to create a place for the community to gather, celebrate and experience something unique to Lake Macquarie”, continued Greg Barclay.
The design philosophy for the venue embraces several key principles, including celebrating the building’s Art Deco heritage while incorporating modern hospitality functionality, reflecting the lakeside setting through natural tones and open spaces, and creating flexible environments suited to both intimate dining and large events. Sustainability and subtle references to the cultural heritage of the Awabakal people are also integrated into the concept.
As Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region continue to experience significant population growth, demand for high-quality waterfront hospitality venues continues to rise. Awaba House’s location and heritage significance make it one of the region’s most unique hospitality opportunities.
Sarah Willcox, Associate Director at Commercial Collective, said “the opportunity to be involved in the revival of Awaba House has been incredibly meaningful. Following the 2019 fire, there was a real sense of loss within the community, and to now see the building being thoughtfully restored and repositioned is very special”.
“The operator selection process focused on finding a group capable of not only delivering a high-quality hospitality offering but also understanding the significance of the building and its place within the community. Awaba House is a destination with history, and it deserves an operator who could respect that while bringing it forward. The Catering Group’s track record across diverse hospitality venues, combined with their passion for delivering memorable dining and event experiences, made them a natural fit for the site. Their vision aligns strongly with Council’s plans for Awaba House, and we’re excited to see the venue come to life”, continued Sarah Willcox.
The refurbishment of Awaba House is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with the venue anticipated to open to the public shortly thereafter.
