Goldfields is preparing to roll out the red carpet and welcome two of Melbourne’s most exciting new dining and drinking venues at the newly completed Goldfields House.
The new $400million, 24-level commercial tower at 627 Chapel Street has kick-started the reinvigoration of one of Melbourne’s most iconic city fringe strips. Now, the addition of two vibrant and sophisticated new hospitality offerings in the coming months will bolster the positive impact of Goldfields House on the evolving Chapel Street precinct, according to Goldfields CEO Lachlan Thompson.
“There has been a resurgence of quality inner-suburban retail and hospitality offerings as Melbourne looks to shake off the shackles from the past two years,” Mr Thompson says. “People want to enjoy themselves again and to make the most of this amazing city.
“Demand for high-quality venues to eat and drink that are close to work and home is on the rise, and we saw an unrepeatable opportunity to be the catalysts for the renaissance of this end of Chapel Street.
“We are creating several exciting and unique hospitality spaces within Goldfields House that benefit not only our building occupiers, but also the local Melbourne community and hopefully visitors from around the world.”
Accomplished restaurateur Cam Northway (Loti St Kilda, Rocker Bondi) has created the concept for the rooftop restaurant and bar atop Goldfields House. Perfectly positioned 24 stories high, with uninterrupted 180-degree views of Melbourne’s city skyline, Port Phillip Bay Peninsula and beyond, the impressive 500sqm space is unrivalled.
“There is nothing like it, of this scale and with these types of views, in Melbourne and quite possibly Australia,” Mr Northway says. “The South Yarra end of Chapel Street is one of Melbourne’s most iconic retail strips and it’s great to see this precinct evolving and returning to its glory days.
“We are excited to be part of this revitalisation and to create something unique at Goldfields House for all Melburnians to enjoy.”
The highly anticipated $4million rooftop fitout will include a Rod Laver Arena-style retractable roof that will be an eye-catching first for the Melbourne dining scene, facilitating outdoor dining all year round.
Downstairs, Good Group Hospitality has secured 550sqm of prime ground floor retail space at the base of Goldfields House to open its newest Australian food and beverage offering, Wong Baby.
The Australasian-based hospitality group will introduce its popular approach to modern Asian fusion cuisine to Melbourne with a spin-off venue based on its successful White & Wong’s restaurant with highly successful outposts in Auckland and Sydney.
Russell Gray, CEO of Good Group, said Wong Baby would be a fun, vibrant, eclectic restaurant focused on south-east Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on street food, in a fast-paced setting on Chapel Street.
“It struck us that the Toorak Road end of Chapel Street has been somewhat underrepresented with food and beverage and with the opportunity presenting itself within a brand-new, high-profile building such as Goldfields House, it just seemed to be a natural fit,” Mr Gray said. “We wanted somewhere that we could bring a new and fun brand to.
“We are seeing the revitalisation of the South Yarra end of Chapel Street with a number of new buildings, including Goldfields House. There is also an abundance of high-rise apartment buildings in that location as well as several significant businesses. We felt it was an ideal demographic and a vibrant geographic location.
“Goldfields House offers us a prominent venue on a main arterial route, with strong transport options for people including the nearby train station at South Yarra and tram stops right outside the door. It’s also very close to the designer end of Chapel St that turns into Church Street.
“We also felt that good bars were underrepresented in this particular area as well and that’s what we will provide also. (Goldfields) were looking for something different, and that’s what Wong Baby represents. Fast-paced, quirky, great food, great wines, great beers, great fun.”
The fitout for the new Wong Baby premises is underway, with Good Group estimating the restaurant will open its doors in November.
Also opening on the ground floor this month is The Bagel Shop, a100sqm ground floor café run by Bruno Ceraso of Kaleida Hospitality Group and Rocella.
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