Historic Richmond pub The Kingston faces uncertain future
One of Melbourne’s most iconic heritage-listed pubs, The Kingston in Richmond, is on the brink of closure after falling into insolvency, prompting the appointment of administrators and the launch of an urgent sale campaign.
Located on Highett Street and steeped in history dating back to the 1850s, The Kingston is owned by the prominent De Fraga family, led by hospitality veterans Jonathan and Chantal De Fraga. The venue, housed within the corporate entity Trident Star Enterprises, employs 29 staff and has recently undergone a $1.5 million refurbishment. The upgrade includes a revamped public bar, a new deck and beer garden, and the addition of the upmarket Marble & Pearl restaurant, which highlights premium Australian beef and local seafood.
In March, administrators Daniel Juratowitch and Rachel Burdett of Cor Cordis were appointed after the company was placed into voluntary administration. This followed a winding-up application lodged by the Australian Taxation Office in January, which has since been adjourned.
The Kingston is no stranger to Melbourne’s cultural landscape. In the 1970s, it was among the early adopters of inner-city pubs doubling as music venues, hosting acts such as the Pelaco Brothers, Skyhooks, and Crossfire. In the 1980s, the pub was run entirely by lesbian staff under the late Pat Longmore, making it a cultural landmark in the city’s LGBTQ+ history.
In a statement to the Herald Sun, a Cor Cordis spokesperson said, “A number of interested parties are now undertaking due diligence in relation to the company’s affairs and future prospects.” They confirmed that while the De Fraga family may consider proposing a deed of company arrangement to creditors, no formal offer has yet been made.
“The administrators will continue to fulfil their statutory duties and will keep creditors informed as the administration progresses,” the spokesperson added. A second creditors’ meeting is not expected until July.
Compounding the challenges facing the De Fraga family, the Supreme Court of Victoria was drawn into the case due to a technical issue surrounding the administrators’ appointment. The court heard that the appointment had been made by Chantal De Fraga using power of attorney, after her husband Jonathan De Fraga was diagnosed with a serious illness. The court found this action to be legally ineffective.
Tragically, Mr De Fraga passed away on Tuesday, as confirmed by a funeral notice published in the Herald Sun. Despite the irregularity, the court ultimately upheld the validity of the administrators' appointment, citing the urgency and the administrators’ good faith.
“Primarily, they have continued to operate the Kingston Hotel business and have procured the transfer of the liquor licence,” said Justice Paul Cosgrave. “It is likely that any challenge to the validity of their appointment would be disruptive to the business and create further inconvenience and potential loss to creditors.”
The De Fragas had also recently offloaded two other Richmond venues — Public House and the Swan Hotel — both sold to hospitality group Australian Venue Co., with settlements finalised in October 2024. Public House, operated by the now-liquidated Public House Consolidated, had undergone a $3 million renovation in 2020.
The Kingston remains uncertain, with staff, patrons, and creditors awaiting the outcome of the sale process.
Jonathan Jackson, 5th May 2025
