The giant logo on the southern facade would also change, with the words “Clifton” and “est 1911” to be removed, leaving just “Imperial” in large script.

At the rear the full-height glasswork would be replaced by large windows framed with steel, with “hit and miss brickwork” to break up the surface to the eye. 

“The intricate brickwork will help alleviate the impact of rendered masonry walls and provide contemporary aesthetic form to this portion of the building, clearly identifying this portion as new,” the developer’s consultant firm Urbis says.

The landmark hotel was bought by the Shellharbour Workers Club from the WIN Corporation in 2015 after its $1.925 million bid failed to pass reserve at an auction.

A development application approved in 2010 changed the use of the building from being a pub to being a “restaurant/cafe”. This would continue under the new plans, as the Shellharbour club can’t own both hotel and club licences.

Under the changes to the ground floor, a bar area would replace part of the dining area, and would service the restaurant and people waiting to be seated. The venue’s capacity would remain at 290 people.

The modifications also include changes to the southern carpark, facades on both the northern and southern sides, and a reconfiguration of the internal basement and ground floor layout. The car parking would remain at 35 car spaces, 12 bike spots and five motorbike spaces. 

A heritage impact statement submitted by Urbis states the hotel has heritage value for “historical and aesthetic reasons and as representative example of Victorian period hotels in the area”.

A proposal to make the northern balcony narrower would bring it in line with the original design, Urbis said.

The plans are on display with Wollongong City Council until September 19.