Stokehouse : Goodbye to a Bayside Icon …. For Now

Local Community

 

On Friday 17th January, Melbourne watched on in horror (in person, or across social media channels) as one of St Kilda’s most-loved icons burned to the ground. This was the fourth consecutive day of Melbourne temperatures exceeding 40C. In today’s blog, C&G pay tribute to this bayside hub, a special venue that carried so many collective memories for our community.


Stokehouse in days of yore….

…. and more recently, after last year’s renovation.

Located on the foreshore, the Stokehouse has long been the symbol of St Kilda luxury, providing exquisite beachside dining, fine food and wine and outstanding service for over twenty years. Its elegant yet casual atmosphere immediately resonated with Melbournians - from the moment it opened on the site of a classic Edwardian tearoom in the 1990s. 

The Stokehouse was not only an architectural landmark, but also a place filled with fond memories for many. The Stokehouse was the setting of countless weddings, anniversaries and commercial launch occasions, and it no surprise that its destruction has tugged at the heart-strings of the wider Melbourne community. Aussie icon, singer, actress and TV personality Natalie Bassingthwaite (pictured above) was one of many famous Stokehouse brides. The outpouring of messages expressing sadness and best wishes for a swift return of the re-imagined venue has been overwhelming, with celebrities such as Matt Preston, Missy Higgins and Ruby Rose tweeting their thoughts on the news. 

The Herald Sun reports that approximately 200 diners were evacuated from the restaurant after its lights flickered, and a member of staff announced that a fire had broken out in the kitchen at around 11pm. It took over 70 firefighters three hours to tame the blaze. For more information on the Stokehouse blaze and re-build click here.

Were you married at the Stokehouse? Perhaps you have other special memories of events at this special venue. Team C&G look forward to many new things to celebrate at what will undoubtedly be a beautiful new version of our Stokehouse.