Preston: The Keys bowling alley to open at revamped 110-year-old warehouse

An ageing warehouse is being transformed into a new destination for old-school fun, with its operators promising an experience like no other. This is what’s planned.

A warehouse which has stood for 110 years is being restored as the home of a new vintage bowling alley and leisure centre in Melbourne’s north.

The Keys is set to open sometime in summer on Plenty Rd in Preston and will boast 12 lanes blending vintage looks and start-of-the-art equipment.

The 2000sq m warehouse will contain original exposed timber beams and vintage glass panelling, with the bowling alley made out of trimmings from old bowling lanes in the US and Australia.

Foodies and drink lovers are also set to be in for a treat, with three bars boasting 48 beers on tap and a beer garden with room for up to 450 guests.

Chef and co-owner Tom Peasnell, who used to roam the kitchens at Nico’s Deli, Dexter and Dom’s Social, will lead a team dishing up New York-style pizzas, classic pub meals and other snacks.

The venue will also have a retro games arcade, lounges with an open fire and a bistro.

Mr Peasnell said he and business partner Jon Rowatt had been inspired by visits to vintage restored bowling alleys in the US for their local offering.

He said he wanted to create a space which offered plenty of nostalgia, great food and was accessible to people of all ages.

“There’s nothing sort of like this in Australia,” Mr Peasnell said.

“We’re restaurant and bar guys, and we thought if we were to bring that nous into a bowling alley, it wouldn’t have been done before.

“We’re building this as a passion project as somewhere we’d love to go, with awesome food, music, entertainment, craft beers … a space for everyone that offers nice clean fun.

NSL Property Group director Guy Naselli said the warehouse was formerly a distribution centre for an audiovisual company, which sold in September 2020.

Mr Naselli said the introduction of the entertainment complex was unique for the space, and hoped it would become a drawcard attraction for the area.

“We’ve seen these kind of buildings become gyms or hospitality type venues in the past, but certainly nothing that is turned into a bowling alley,” he said.

Mr Rowatt said the warehouse site also had extra space for future expansion of The Keys’ offerings in the future.

The Keys is offering foundation memberships through its website.