Matt Moran’s Aria restaurant space to host “new concept” eatery

One of Brisbane’s top hospitality operators is believed to have secured one of the city’s top restaurant sites, where Matt Moran’s Aria restaurant had been for 10 years.

Celebrity Chef Matt Moran at his ARIA restaurant in Brisbane, which is closing down. Picture: Liam Kidston

RENOWNED hospitality operator Andrew Baturo is tipped to establish a new venture in one of Brisbane’s main restaurant precincts.

Industry sources say he will take over the space that has been celebrity chef Matt Moran’s signature restaurant Aria at the Eagle Street Pier for the past 10 years.

Baturo recently pulled the plug on plans to transform the historic Water Police building at the booming Howard Smith Wharves into a 180-seat Hong Kong-inspired eatery dubbed Stanley.

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Hospitality operator Andrew Baturo pulls plug on planned Stanley restaurant at Howard Smith Wharves

Instead, industry chatter indicates he will open a “new concept” restaurant in Moran’s former flagship dining experience. Baturo was not immediately available for comment.

Andrew Baturo at Howard Smith Wharves. He pulled the plug on plans to transform the historic Water Police building in the area. Picture: AAP/Claudia Baxter

However, he earlier told The Courier-Mail that he handed back the Howard Smith Wharves’ lease late last year.

He refused to provide specifics on how much money changed hands or who is taking over and where his next venture will be but he said building hurdles with the Heritage-listed space were not a factor.

Aria Brisbane is closing after 10 years at Eagle St.

“It was just a good offer at the time,’’ Baturo said. “It was a tough decision. It’s a great location.’’

Sources say whoever takes over the historic Water Police lease will be “someone special”.

The new Aria project is Baturo’s seventh in Brisbane over the past nine years. He still operates Walter’s Steakhouse, Libertine, Popolo, Heya and The Gresham bar.

ASX-listed Dexus, which owns the Eagle Street Pier is in the process of gaining approval for a $1.4 billion city changing redevelopment of the precinct.

The Waterfront Precinct plans include two new towers and riverfront dining and retail outlets on the Eagle Street Pier site that will be complemented by 1.5ha of public and riverfront open space.

Last year it said its possible commencement date was next year with completion of the project by 2026.

Aria Brisbane had a prime location on Eagle St Pier.

Aria will close on June 15 bringing an end to its 10-year run on Eagle Street Pier.

A Dexus spokesperson said: “We thank the Aria Brisbane team for 10 incredible years of delivering elegant dining for the people of Brisbane.”

“We expect to be able to announce shortly a new dining experience that will take residence in the Aria Brisbane space.”

“The new offer will see Eagle Street Pier continue to deliver a range of quality dining options for the community to enjoy.”