Developers have applied to move the iconic Mama Luigi’s out of Fortitude Valley

THE developer who wanted to demolish the dwelling once home to the famous Brisbane restaurant Mama Luigi’s has now applied to move the building across town to a whole new suburb.

240 St Paul's Tce, Brisbane 5th of July 2018. The house was used as a restaurant and they now want to demolish it. The developer now wants to move the house to Toowong. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

A DEVELOPMENT application to move a character house, once home to the iconic Mama Luigi’s restaurant, out of Fortitude Valley has been hailed “a fantastic outcome” by the local councillor.

But furious residents and Council’s opposition planning chair have slammed developer Berson Properties application to move the pre-1911 house to Toowong, calling it “cultural vandalism”.

Cr Vicki Howard (Central) said she was pleased the developer was no longer requesting permission to demolish the house “but rather relocate it to a site where it will continue to be preserved in Toowong”.

240 St Paul's Tce, Brisbane 5th of July 2018. The house was used as a restaurant and they wanted to demolish it. The developer is now seeking to relocate the house to Toowong. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

The DA proposes to move the dwelling from 240 St Pauls Terrace to 15 St Osyth St, Toowong into a low-medium density residential (2 or 3 storey) mixed zone.

“The restaurant has not been open for many decades now and the building itself has experienced many changes throughout the years.

I think that relocating the building to another site, where it will continue to be protected under character regulations, would be a fantastic outcome.

While I understand the desire of many to see the building remain at its current site, it is not heritage-listed, and the history will continue to live on at any new site that becomes home to the house.”

Filippa Merenda was the co-owner and cook of Mamma Luigi's in 1980. Picture: The Courier-Mail Archives.

The developer had previously applied to Council (in April) to demolish the landmark house citing the buildling “no longer constitutes a Pre-1911 building under any objective analysis” but has now applied to move the character house out of the suburb.

Spring Hill Community Group spokesman Ross Flutter said “if heritage is an issue, it can’t be moved. Heritage is locked in place”.

“There isn’t much point talking about heritage protection if buildings can be moved in some sort of offset deal so that heritage ends up scattered all over the city.

The Council cannot have it both ways. They cannot plan for heritage proection and allow heritage buildings to be moved to other suburbs at the same time.”

Mr Flutter said the building was subject to demolition control the same as other similar properties (Gregory Tce cnr Bradley St) where Council “forced the owners to renovate, so there is a matter of consistency involved here.”

News/transport/buildings Fortitude Valley bound tram at the corner of Bowen Bridge Road and Gregory Trc, Brisbane, in the 1940s. Neg/no A64710 Scanned April/2009 The Courier-Mail Photo Archive

He said the building was part of Spring Hill’s historical record which would be lost if was moved to Toowong.

Council Shadow Planning Committe chair Jared Cassidy said the proposal to move the cottage, patronised by high profile figures such as Nat King Cole and General Douglas MacArthur was “cultural vandalism”.

Cr Cassidy said in a letter supporting the new application, a town planning consultant acting for owner Berson Properties wrote: “The applicant acknowledges council’s and the community’s desire for the dwelling not to be demolished.”

“We had an extremely strong response from residents who want this building preserved for the pivotal role Mama Luigi’s played in the development of Brisbane’s dining culture,” Cr Cassidy said.

“They do not want it moved across town. As well as its age, the significance of the building is linked to where it has always stood. The owners just don’t get it.

Berson Properties has applied to move the original Mama Luigi house from Fortitude Valley to Toowong

“Mama Luigi’s was ahead of its time and brought joy to thousands of people. It really did introduce Brisbane people to foreign food. Without Mama Luigi’s we wouldn’t have the vibrant foodie scene we now take for granted.

“Today, we think nothing of going out to an Italian or Thai restaurant but this was the most exciting meal a family in Brisbane could have back then. And it was affordable, putting a night out at a restaurant within reach of the average Brisbane family.

“Brisbane residents have seen so much of their cultural history destroyed and they’ve had enough.”

Councillor Nicole Johnston has called for council to urgently protect this pre-1911 home on Ipswich road. Picture: Elise Searson

Spring Hill resident Kirsten Lovejoy said Council needed to guard against the suburb’s bit-by-bit erosion.

“First Council serves us a new neighbourhood plan that does little to truly observe the overall heritage value of Spring Hill, then straight after we see an application to move the heritage out of the neighbourhood, “ Ms Lovejoy said.

“Mama Luigi’s was more than a building to so many people – guests once went to enjoy the food and experience Spring Hill’s diverse cultural flavour.

Even though the building itself is important, without context, the building will simply just become a nice old building.”

MORE

Council protects pre-1911 character houses

View the application by going to the council’s PD Online page and searching for A004903937, or typing in 240 St Pauls Tce Fortitude Valley.

Where dining began in Brisbane.