PLANS REVEALED: Great Southern Seafoods to develop new seafood restaurant at Albany Waterfront Marina

Plans have been revealed for a seafood restaurant at the Albany Waterfront Marina, with Great Southern Seafoods hoping to open their new venue early in 2024. Transport Minster Rita Saffioti visited Albany on Thursday to announce the Albany family-owned-and-run company had been successful in securing a 21-year lease to develop the 1734 sqm site owned by the Department of Transport. The State Government has invested $360,000 to connect essential services to the long and narrow site, which stretches from the roundabout near Due South to Albany Town Jetty, and that work is expected to be completed in December. Great Southern Seafoods director Margaret Soumelidis said she and her husband, Adam, were excited by the opportunity to create a new venue at the Albany waterfront. “We’ve been in the fishing industry for over 35 years and we’ve got amazing local seafood right on our doorstep,” she said. “The aim is to establish a seafood restaurant for the local community to enjoy and for visitors who are coming to Albany. “We’re hopeful we’ll be able to complement what is already here.” Plans for the development include the construction of a 3m-wide boardwalk hanging over the rock wall on Toll Place. There will be a main restaurant titled Yefsea — a play on the Greek word ‘Yefsi’, meaning taste or flavours — and additional commercial space which will be made available for lease. Mr Soumelidis said the interior design of the venue was being finalised, but it would be “Mediterranean themed.” He said the restaurant would provide a new option in Albany and would focus on locally-sourced fish to support local fishers. “The seafood down here is very, very good because of the cold waters we have,” he said. “I’ve been in Albany for about 18 years and I’ve built another premises in town as well, but I’ve always eventually wanted to get down here (to the waterfront).” Ms Soumelidis said Albany was already spoiled for choice with amazing restaurants, cafes and fish and chip shops. “But there is something magical about having seafood right on the water,” she said. “We’re envisaging having fish and chips, or nice prawns and a glass of champagne right by the water — that’s the magic.” The plans for the development were brought together by Michael Roberts from Roberts Gardiner Architects, who was also involved in the design of the nearby Albany Entertainment Centre and Due South tavern. Mr Roberts said it would be a “long skinny building, broken up into two sections.” “The northern section is the seafood restaurant itself with an alfresco area on the boardwalk,” he said. “The inside is probably big enough for about 130 people plus the alfresco area on the front, which was designed to have wind protection either from westerlies is winter and the easterlies in summer. “The rear of the property will be available for rental, but it will be built now and if somebody comes forward with an expression of interest there is a chance we can tailor-make their tenancy to suit if they have particular requirements while it’s being built.” Ms Saffioti compared the site to Fremantle’s fishing boat harbour, which she said was very successful at attracting foot traffic. “Yes, you can get fish and chips in a lot of places but there is something special about having them or some fresh oysters with the water lapping at your feet,” she said. “People love that experience, in particular when it showcases the beauty of Albany.”