Dakota nightclub: Construction ramps up for new Ringwood complex
Clubbers rejoice — it’s taken 18 months, but the rebuild of Ringwood’s Dakota nightclub is ramping up and a likely opening date locked in. And some former AFL players are breathing new life into the new complex.
Outer East
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Clubbers in Melbourne’s outer east will soon be able to return to their old stomping ground with the reborn Dakota nightclub set to open in time for summer.
And party animals might be able to live at the Ringwood club — literally — with developers considering putting apartments on top in the future.
Construction has ramped up at the burnt out club site at 123 Maroondah Highway — with columns for the new multi-level building installed last month.
Club Dakota was destroyed in a suspicious fire in May 2016 and plans for its $8 million rebuild were revealed in December 2017.
It will include a renamed nightclub and the Fat Franks hotdog shop on the ground level, followed by The Bungalow beer garden on the first level and the Hyde function centre on level two.
Project manager Joe Cossari Jr said construction was “flying along” after earthworks began in January.
He said the nightclub and hot dog shop would open in November, followed by The Bungalow and Hyde in December or January.
“We’re aiming for the whole building to be built and completed this year,” he said.
“We expect the club to be opening in November and I can’t see why that won’t happen.”
Mr Cossari said a new builder — Jeniton — had been appointed to construct the building and a fourth storey would be added for office space.
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But Maroondah councillor Kylie Spears said the council was yet to receive an application for a taller building on the site.
“The current planning permit for the land allows for the construction of a three storey building,” Cr Spears said.
Mr Cossari said the building was “future-proofed” to add two more storeys in the future — and he was considering either restaurants or apartments.
“More likely or not it would be a commercial space, but we’re certainly open to residential or affordable housing if it ticks the right boxes,” he said.
Former Richmond footballer Kayne Pettifer is the licensee for The Bungalow and Hyde, while former Club Dakota manager Gabriel Jakobson and ex-Melbourne and Geelong footballer Sam Blease will be in charge of the renamed nightclub.
“It’s been an iconic venue for 15 years and we will be bring back that sort of feel again,” Mr Jakobson said.
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