Multi million dollar renovation commences for iconic Melbourne venue

Transport Public Bar has been a must visit for Melbourne locals and visitors for 15 years, and from

August 28, will undergo a major renovation, the first since its opening in 2003.

Located on the ground floor of the iconic building dominating the front of Federation Square,

Transport has been a meeting hub for many Melbourne residents, as well as hundreds of thousands

of international visitors. The renovation will further cement the venue’s position as Melbourne’s

favourite place to catch up, with the addition of a stone pizza oven, portable DJ booths and premium

spirits and wines poured throughout the venue.

Commencing in August 2017, and being completed in two stages, the reimagination of the space will

see updates to the main bar and a complete overhaul of the Greenhouse on the Swanston Street

side of the hotel. The Greenhouse, affectionately known to many as the ‘chook shed’ will be

transformed into a beautifully appointed green venue, with features including a central wine and

cocktail bar and, for the first time, will offer table service for food and beverage. The renovation is

expected to be completed by November.

Transport will keep its quintessential architectural interest, and will be separated in to a wine and

sports bar, the main of which will include a purpose-built stone pizza oven. The renovation will see a

new style of dining for Transport, with a purposely-designated dining area. Table service will be

offered in the Greenhouse, and families will be encouraged to linger longer in the space, while meals

can be enjoyed through the remainder of the site.

General Manager of the complex, Tony Twitchett said of the renovation, “Transport has been a real

feature of the CBD and Fed Square now for 15 years. It hasn’t had a makeover in the time it has

been open and we determined it needed an overhaul. We will reinvigorate the hotel, without

touching the much-recognised exterior.”

Parts of the venue will be closed off during different times through the renovation, but there will be

little disruption for customers. “We will operate as normally as possible, making sure Transport is

still a great place to meet and grab a beer or a meal in the heart of the CBD,” said Venue Manager

Andy Price. “There will be no change to our operational hours and people can still enjoy a drink 365

days of the year. We will ensure there is as little inconvenience as possible,” he continued. While

the kitchen is renovated, the main bar will serve classic ‘fourntwenty’ pies and sauce – keeping with

Transport’s love of all things sporting. “Wherever you are from, a pie and sauce is a kind of universal

Australian delight, enjoyed by young and old, and from all corners of the country.”

The renovations should be concluded by November. Sydney based architectural firm H&E were

awarded the opportunity to reinvent Transport. “Expect beautiful finishes delineating each part of

the venue, with little structural change, but a real makeover for Transport,” continued Twitchett.

H&E are hotel specialists and have designed stunning hotel renovations including The River Bar in

Brisbane, Grand Duk in Sydney and Mill House in Melbourne. “H&E have considerable experience in

hotel design and functionality, and customers can expect to see natural finishes, including various

timbers along with cement and brass. The key for us was ensuring we didn’t lose any of the stunning

views we have come to enjoy and we can remind people of how lucky we are to sit in one of

Melbourne’s most iconic locations,” he said. 

Sam Forte will take the reins upstairs in Taxi Kitchen allowing General Manager Twitchett to focus on the renovation and the reinvigoration of Transport.

Transport has always been the place to meet and we look forward to welcoming back old friends and new ones, with new spaces for families, corporate gatherings and society soirees. It will return,after a makeover, as Melbourne’s finest eating and drinking establishment.

ENDS

For further information or interview opportunities, please contact Pete Dillon.

dillonpete@me.com

0409 142 365