After 139 years, the Albion Hotel Parramatta will be demolished to make way for apartment blocks, following a Development Application lodged with the City of Parramatta Council.
The Albion is set to replaced with two towers after plans to demolish the popular pub were approved by the State Government in March 2021.
Housing 405 apartments, the towers will also contain 36 units for seniors, a function space, wine bar, cinema, indoor bowls as well as billiard rooms.
The 51 storey development will be built opposite the new light rail stop at Robin Thomas Reserve, soaring above 135 George Street and 118 Harris Street.
Considered a true icon amongst the Parramatta community, the Albion is a part of the Solotel Group and serves as a beer garden by day and a booming nightclub by night. In a statement shared on Tuesday, January 25, the Albion revealed that they are still committed to providing the “Albies experience.”
“We are still open. Nothing has changed, we’re still offering great food, cracking drinks in an awesome space,” the statement said.
With the Albion’s management lease set to expire in September 2022, the statement revealed they plan to continue discussions with the building’s landlord.
“We’re hoping to keep working closely with our landlord to see if we can trade beyond September 2022, or at the very least find a new home for the Albion,” it said.
“Either way, we love you all and want to keep bringing you the Albies you know and love for years to come.”
As the Application was submitted by their landlord, The Albion stated they were unable to comment on it and the timeline surrounding development on the site of the hotel as they were “not involved in those discussions.”
Originally constructed in the heart of Parramatta on the corner of George and Harris Street in 1882, the Albion was later demolished in 1924 and replaced. The Solomon family acquired the pub in 1986 and, following a couple of minor facelifts, have built it to what it is today.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.