Rebuild of Stokehouse restaurant in St Kilda delayed another year
AN ICONIC St Kilda restaurant will not open until next spring after more than a year of delays.
The Stokehouse restaurant in Jacka Boulevard is being rebuilt after it was destroyed by a kitchen fire in January 2014.
It was expected to reopen in August, after plans were approved by the council and former planning minister Matthew Guy.
Stokehouse owner Frank Van Haandel said while the delays were “frustrating” he was “elated” about the future restaurant.
“It’s been a really complicated and drawn-out process and I was overly optimistic when I thought we would be able to open this year,” Mr Van Haandel said.
Delays were caused by the discovery of a 100-year-old storm water pipe under the original structure, having to secure the foundation and temporarily relocating palm trees at the site, he said.
He was “quietly confident” the restaurant would be able to open next October, but would not specify an opening date.
“I am absolutely thrilled the works have started and we are going to deliver something to be extremely and immensely proud of,” Mr Van Haandel said.
Mr Van Haandel said he had worked with Port Phillip Council to ensure the construction would go according to plan.
The new building will be environmentally-friendly and aims to be the highest rating sustainably-built restaurant in the country, he said.
New technology including geothermal heating will be used.
The striking building was designed by architect Robert Simeoni who was also selected to design the new St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club.
The two-level restaurant will appear to sit on top of sand dunes and will be positioned above the beach promenade level, with sweeping views of the city and bay.
Source: Herald Sun / Port Phillip Leader, Caroline Schelle, 12th October 2015
Originally published as: Rebuild of Stokehouse restaurant in St Kilda delayed another year
