Just four kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and spread over 16 acres, Abbotsford Convent is Australia’s largest multi-arts precinct- a place of arts, culture, and learning.

The Abbotsford Convent Foundation, with partner Future Food, is seeking expressions of interest from leading hospitality operators for the recently restored 217m2 ground level Annexe restaurant space.  The Annexe includes a 50m2 kitchen and back of house, 82.5m2 indoor dining area and an 85m2 outdoor dining terrace as part of the Abbotsford Convent Hospitality offering.

With lofty ceilings and clerestory windows the Convent Annexe is flooded with natural light and boasts a delightful 85m2 outdoor terrace area with spectacular views over the Convent Heritage Gardens, making it the perfect in and outdoor venue. Our aspiration for this business is that it becomes an iconic destination eatery for the Abbotsford Convent and we invite innovative concepts from industry leaders about how they can achieve this desired level of success. We are open to a range of contemporary concepts from casual, high-end dining, modern smart casual, family dining or other, and will happily collaborate with the successful operator’s vision for this space, including fit out.

Renowned for its rich history and striking built landscapes, the Abbotsford Convent is home to a vibrant community of artists, creative organisations, wellbeing practitioners, a radio station, two schools, thriving eateries, a gallery and an abundance of open green space.

Situated along the Yarra River, the location is close to parklands, walking and riding tracks, and has onsite parking and easy access to public transport.

Attracting up to 1 million visitors annually, the convent is enlivened through dynamic year-round arts and cultural programming, and as new areas of the precinct are activated, the opportunities for people to interact in a connected and meaningful way continue to grow.  With 31 indoor and outdoor spaces for hire, the lease comes with additional opportunities to cater for a wide variety of onsite events, including conferences, festivals, meetings and functions.

The Abbotsford Convent’s ambition for the ground floor Convent Annexe is to partner with a forward-thinking hospitality operator who sees the potential of the space and takes it to the next level. Our ambition is for a hospitality operator with a vibrant offering and service that matches the incredibly unique context of the Convent, that will surprise and delight our diverse audiences, and become a destination in its own right.

We want to hear about your vision and how you would deliver a contemporary food and hospitality solution at the Abbotsford Convent, and turn a vision into reality. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to be a part of this very special place.

Please contact Ash Cooke to request a copy of the EOI document or for a confidential discussion 0402 556 490

This EOI is now closed.

For more information contact: acooke@futurefood.com.au.