Former Moonlight Receptions on 622-642 Nicholson St North Fitzroy back on market

The saga surrounding a squatter-infested derelict wedding reception continues, with the inner city eyesore back on the market. See the plans.

Former Moonlight Receptions located on 622-642 Nicholson St, North Fitzroy back on the market for sale. Picture: Supplied.

A notorious squatter-infested function centre in Melbourne’s inner-north has hit the market, leaving locals hopeful it will become less of an eyesore.

Expressions of interest are open for the sale of 622-642 Nicholson St in North Fitzroy, where weddings used to be held at Moonlight Receptions.

The saga at the site has dragged on for more than five years, after Yarra Council rejected plans in 2019 to redevelop the property into a 10-storey building that would include apartments, a medical centre and a bottle shop.

However, VCAT overturned the rejection in the same year, just limiting the building to eight storeys.

The development, however, is yet to go ahead and in 2021, the building was filled with squatters.

Inside Moonlight Receptions former grand foyer. Supplied.

Now, the controversial lot is being advertised as a “versatile mixed-use development site” that provides “great flexibility” and scope for “multiple development outcomes.”

Featuring a large site area of 1834 sqm, the listing does not yet have an asking price set but promises new developers a canvas to transform the run down wedding venue into a number developments which could include a purpose-built student accommodations among others.

Former Moonlight Receptions located on 622-642 Nicholson St, North Fitzroy on market for sale. Picture: supplied.

North Fitzroy local Anne Coveny, who has lived in the suburb for decades, said although it was unclear what the development would come to be, the area desperately needed a “revitalisation”.

“No one’s happy with the derelict building. Why it’s been left like that is an issue for the powers that be but we would very much prefer that the new development was contributing to the community,” she said.

“We would very much hope the new development will be the appropriate scale... we don’t know yet what the developer will do with the site but the community would certainly look forward to working with the development to make it a win for everybody.”

Ms Coveny said locals living next to the rundown former reception venue were also worried about the “big bulky building blocking sunlight”.

“One of the biggest issues in the VCAT case was for people immediately around the site. The buildings are very close together,” she said.

The location of the former Moonlight Receptions. Picture: Supplied.

Listed by real estate company Colliers, the online listing states the site offers walking-distance amenities within North Fitzroy Village including “premium lifestyle options such as La Luna Bistro, Matteo’s, LUNE, Great Northern Hotel, Good Gnocchi, Scopri and Piedimonte’s Supermarket”.

“The site is within proximity to the Edinburgh Gardens, Janet Millman Reserve, Darling Gardens and Curtain Square, providing a host of outdoor lifestyle,” the listing stated.

Expression of interest closes on June 6.