Studley Park Boathouse is one of Melbourne’s most popular landmarks. Now, after 160 years of serving locals and tourists, the 1863-built building is poised for a $5.8 million glow-up, courtesy of the Australian Venue Co (behind many Melbourne pubs including Prince Alfred Hotel, The Espy and Fargo and Co), which bought the building in 2019.
Area manager Michael Singleton describes the project as, “getting [the boathouse] to its former glory and keeping the heritage … while [paying] tribute to the fact that we have a really big responsibility down there to look after the surroundings”.
The boathouse’s characteristic burgundy roof and weatherboard walls will be replaced with contemporary reinterpretations. What was once a kiosk offering wraps and takeaway coffee will be upscaled into a multi-level al fresco deck stretching down to the river’s edge, for true riverside dining.
For a more formal sit-down experience, new restaurant and bar The Conservatory will offer tap beers, signature cocktails and wines sourced within 100 kilometres of Studley Park.
The old cafe side of the building will reopen under the name The Perch, offering daily takeaway and weekend breakfasts for those after a post-kayak pick-me-up.
Separate from the rest of the building, the boathouse will also welcome a new woodfired pizzeria and pop-up gelato cart, also geared to takeaway for visitors to enjoy a picnic at one of the many grassy spots nearby. Along with picnic packages and blankets, there will also be the “Row-sé” package where you can head out on a rowboat to feed the ducks and return for pizza, wine and gelato.
“I think everybody’s really been waiting for this one for a number of years,” Singleton says. “We’ve all known that it was on the cards and finally it’s here, only just around the corner [and we] can’t wait to share it with Melbourne.”
Studley Park Boathouse will reopen in winter 2023.
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