Frankston’s Ambassador Hotel to be demolished within a fortnight
DEMOLITION works on Frankston’s derelict and heavily vandalised Ambassador hotel are set to be completed within a fortnight.
South East
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WORKERS are expected to complete demolition work on the notorious Frankston Ambassador function centre within a fortnight.
Mayor James Dooley said works on the derelict site were “on track”.
“Council has not been contacted regarding any planning applications,” he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you have fond memories of the Ambassador in its prime? Tell us below.
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But Cr Dooley said the owners had four and a half months to apply for an extension of former owner Joanna Kordos’ planning permit for a four-storey, 37-apartment complex.
Max Braude, who is overseeing sale of the site for owner Jack Gringlas, said the latter was
determined to complete the demolition.
“It’s going ahead,” he said.
It is understood moves to again finalise sale of the site to new owners are in the final stages.
The Leader reported recently that sale of the property at a mortgagee auction for $2.24 million last year to businessman Harry Matsoukas had fallen through.
It went under the hammer after previous owner Ms Kordos failed to make payments so mortgagee Mr Gringlas, from finance company Jadig Group, who put it on the market.
Ms Kordos had promised council she would build luxury apartments before Mr Gringlas moved to sell it.
Mr Gringlas could not be contacted for comment.
The Ambassador site has long been regarded as a magnet for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.
Both the chapel area and former motel units at the back, which have been converted to low-cost apartments, have different owners.
Memories of Ambassador in its prime
WHEN Gitta Hart thinks about her decade working at the Frankston Ambassador, she can’t help but smile.
Ms Hart’s time as an a la carte waitress, wedding reception supervisor, MC and function co-ordinator left her with incredible memories.
But it’s the wedding receptions and camaraderie with workmates she recalls most fondly.
There was the bikie wedding with the incredibly “well behaved” guests and another involving a blazing row between the bride and her husband-to-be.
“It was like a big family,” Ms Hart said of working at the Ambassador. “All the memories I have are of a great group of people and friends — a real family-type affair.”
Ms Hart recalled that staff often headed to Frankston’s 21st Century Nightclub after their Saturday night shifts.
She had such an affection for the Ambassador she returned to it for her own wedding reception to husband Colin despite relocating to Queensland.
What she saw on her most recent visit — a derelict building that had been heavily vandalised — left her stunned.
“It was a Frankston icon. It was the best place to go for your reception,” she said. “The amount of people that went through that place and the amount of weddings that went on — it (the Ambassador’s demise) is upsetting.”