Restaurateur Ben Bayly with Garage Project’s Ian Gillespie and Jo Ruffell on site. Photo credit: Makoto Takaoka.
Watson Group has announced its partnership with restaurateur and chef Ben Bayly to bring new hospitality offerings to life at the Wellington Pavilion in Oriental Bay.
As part of the venue offering, local Wellington Brewery, Garage Project, has been appointed as the exclusive beer partner.
With resource consent for the full redevelopment recently granted, it’s full steam ahead, with the fit- out commencing early 2026 and the opening planned for later the same year.
David Loveridge, Managing Director of Watson Group, alongside Novak + Middleton Architects and Bayly’s hospitality team, including lead interior firm Jack McKinney Architects, are working towards a reviving one of New Zealand’s most iconic waterfront locations, dormant since 2012. The ambitious project is backed by tech entrepreneur Rod Drury.
The Pavilion will offer a year round relaxed, waterside hospitality and community hub for locals and tourists that plans to include:
- A 560 sqm casual eatery and balcony, open all day and available for bookings and walk-ins
- A Garage Project beer bar serving their iconic classics and limited-edition brews
- A 220 sqm rooftop bar and terrace offering casual seating and uninterrupted views of Oriental Bay and the Wellington Harbour border by a publicly accessible promenade the spans the outer edge of the rooftop
- A street front food kiosk on the ground level with public seating
- Public amenities including showers
Hot Pools & Spa
The Pavilion’s hospitality offering is part of a larger redevelopment, which also includes a luxury day spa including hot pools on the lower level, also set to open in late 2026.
Originally built as a bathing pavilion in 1938, the Oriental Bay Band Rotunda housed several restaurants and bars from the 1980’s until it was found to be earthquake prone.
Drury said he was stoked by the strong community engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback since the project’s announcement in June.
“This is the kind of development that unites people and gives Wellingtonians something to truly be proud of. It’s a once in a generation opportunity to breathe new life into a treasured heritage building – transforming it into a place where locals and visitors can connect, relax, and enjoy,” Drury said.
Loveridge says he’s proud to be a part of the rebirth of the old building, and working with a talented group to bring it to life.
Accessible & Appealing
“Ben shares our vision for the future of this incredible and iconic landmark in Oriental Bay. “We love what Ben and team created with The Bathhouse on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, bringing another iconic building with a rich history back to life – and making it accessible and appealing to everyone, including families with younger kids.
“Appointing Wellington’s Garage Project as the exclusive beer partner was also a no-brainer – they have too many accolades to list but Garage Project’s creativity alongside Ben’s team’s approach to casual dining are a natural fit for this location.
“The vision? Bring your sandy feet, your towel straight from the beach, and settle in, the Pavilion is about creating an easy, inclusive space to eat, drink, and connect, whether you’ve just finished a swim, a walk, or are showing off our waterfront to visiting friends. It’s relaxed, grounded, and proudly Wellington”.
Kiwi Culture
Bayly, who co-owns and operates a number of restaurants including Ahi and Origine in Auckland (as well as Ahi Organic Gardens), Aosta, Little Aosta and Blue Door Bar in Arrowtown and The Bathhouse in Queenstown says he’s ‘fallen in love’ with the building after his first site visit in April, and plans to move down to Wellington for several months to oversee and open the restaurant.
“I just love Wellington, the city is so compact, not only is it our capital city but it has a phenomenal energy, is our creative capital too – coastal, and proud of what it produces.
“We will be on a mission to find the best local suppliers and produce from around the greater Wellington region and deliver a dining experience that draws on our Kiwi bach or ‘crib’ culture – local, relaxed, and genuinely accessible. This is about people coming together over great food and unmatched views”.
Garage Project team recently took out the ‘Champion Large Brewery’ category in the New Zealand Beer Awards, collecting four trophies and the highest number of medals of any entrant.
Fifty Full Time Jobs
Jos Ruffell, co-founder of Garage Project, says being involved has been a ‘pinch me’ moment for both himself and co-founder Pete Gillespie.
“We’ve always believed beer can be creative, social, and deeply local. Pouring Garage Project at The Pavilion, in a space this special, is a bit of a dream. We can’t wait to be part of it”.
It is expected the hospitality offering will result in the creation of more than 50 full time and casual team members.
Earthquake strengthening and restoration of the building is progressing, with the fit-out commencing early 2026 and the opening planned for late 2026, just prior to the building’s 90th birthday in 2027.
