1 Sapling Boulevard, Tarneit
One of Wyndham’s most historic buildings is set for a new chapter, with Council putting the call out for a hospitality operator to transform the Doherty’s House bluestone building into a new café and central meeting point for the community.
Considered an important part of European heritage in the area, the circa-1870s building at 1 Sapling Boulevard suffered a devastating fire in 1969 that destroyed its second level, wooden rafters, windows and outbuildings. The ruins lay in place until preservation works were completed in 2022.
Fitzroys’ James Lockwood and Ned Murray have been appointed to run an Expressions of Interest campaign, closing Friday, 26 July.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Jennie Barrera said: “Council is seeking an experienced operator with a compelling vision that complements and elevates the unique conversion of the heritage ruin into a hub for the Tarneit community”.
Council is currently in the process of obtaining planning permission for the building works that will deliver the café premises, wanting to secure a tenant before completing the works.
The new 158sqm building would retain the current bluestone feature walls and comprise indoor dining spaces and commercial kitchen, with a pitched roof, toilets and cool room added. The site will include a fenced garden area incorporating an outdoor dining space. The island site provides major exposure to passing traffic, with ample on-street car parking options, and is adjacent to a children’s playground.
“This is a great opportunity to refurbish a piece of Melbourne’s history and create a landmark hospitality offering that the community can cherish,” Lockwood said.
“Just as Doherty’s House was built in the 1870s and became a part of Tarneit’s heritage, in a period of rapid development and growth for the area this new café and meeting place can also become a vital feature of its ongoing story.”
Murray said the offering would provide a “point of difference” in the area, which currently has a lack of heritage and character hospitality offerings.
“This is not just an opportunity to deliver a quality heritage offering, but to deliver something that is genuinely sought after at the moment by the fast-growing local community,” he said.
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