Decision looms on replacement for Sofia Restaurant at Frankston waterfront
Frankston Council is poised to sign up an exciting new dining experience to replace a “tired” eatery at a prime waterfront site.
South East
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A $4m Mediterranean dining experience with outdoor bar is on the cards for the Frankston waterfront as the reinvention of the beachside suburb continues.
The local council will on Monday night vote on a new tenant to replace Sofia Restaurant after the 22 year-old eatery was deemed “tired and univiting”.
Hospitality consultants Future Food ran a six week campaign to find a new tenant for the 5N Pier Promenade which is on Crown land and managed by the council.
After a “thorough evaluation” of 10 submissions a pitch by Ecco Unit Trust for a multi-venue offering including a Mediterranean artery with outdoor bar and fish and chip shop was recommended as the preferred tenant by Frankston Council’s director of corporate and commercial services Kim Jaensch.
The deal would include a 16 year lease with the right to renew for a further five years.
The new tenant would cover the entire fit out cost, expected to be up to $4m.
In return the council would waive the first 12 month’s rent of $125,000.
Frankston’s award-winning Visitors Information Centre would also have to find a new home as the proposed lease includes the area used by the centre.
According to a council report the current building at 5N Pier Promenade was built in 2003 by head tenant Sofia Restaurant.
“After 22 years, it now presents as tired and uninviting,” the report read.
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam thanked the restaurant and said while the team would be missed it was “time for something new”.
“With the Frankston Foreshore being an incredibly popular destination all-year-round for locals and visitors alike, it is of utmost importance that we find a suitable long-term tenant to take this waterfront facility into a new chapter,” Mr Bolam said.
“It is encouraging to see the high calibre of applications made to activate this highly sought after space and I look forward, as I’m sure many within the community will, to what’s to be on offer in the near future.”
Mr Bolan said commercial in confidence negotiations were continuing and more details about the recommended proposal could not yet be shared.
He said “all will be revealed” soon.
Sofia closed on February 9.
“We regret to inform you that our restaurant will be closing due to the expiration of our lease,” a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page read.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyalty and support over the years.
“It has been an absolute pleasure serving you.
“Thank you once again for being a part of our journey. We hope to see you in the restaurant before we bid farewell.”
In 2023, Frankston Council issued a temporary shutdown order to the restaurant citing unclean conditions.
Meanwhile, a pop up beach club supported through the council’s destination events attraction program is bringing “Euro summer vibes” to Frankston pier.
Access to the beach club is free but use of a sun-bed costs $60 per four hour session from noon until sunset.
Those booking a sun-bed can redeem the cost through food and beverage vouchers for the beach club included in their package.
The pop up has proven popular with sunbeds for many sunset sessions already sold out.
Carlsberg Beach Club will be open until March 30.