Cafe featuring an 8m-high ‘percolator’ has been proposed for a busy inner city location

Melburnians may soon be buying coffees from an eight metre-high percolator, with smoke pouring out of its spout upon the hour, before sitting down in giant cups, as a master mosaic tiler offers to build a quirky cafe at a busy CBD location.

Mosaic artist Rob Di Virgilio is proposing a giant coffee pot cafe for Melbourne CBD.

Melburnians love their coffee, but is this proposal going too far?

A cafe in the form of a giant percolator with coffee cup seats has been proposed for a busy CBD location.

Master mosaic tiler Rob Di Virgilio is offering to fund and build the $600,000-plus ­Espresso Grande structure that ideally would be located at Queensbridge Square, near Crown Casino.

CAFE CULTURE DRIVES MELB ECONOMY TO $95B RECORD

BRUNETTI OPENS NEW FLINDERS LANE VENUE

CHAMPION BARISTA: WHAT MAKES THE BEST COFFEE

How Espresso Grande would look at Queensbridge Square. Supplied image.

“I have an aspiration to attract people to visit and enjoy our flourishing cafe scene by celebrating coffee through art,” he said.

“It would have an Alice in Wonderland feel to it.

“It would be a great tourist attraction.”

Mr Di Virgilio, whose other works include the Baci Red Lips couch on Southbank Walk, said the 8m-high percolator would be fitted with stylish glass mosaics.

“On the hour smoke would pour out of the spout, and people would buy coffee from the giant percolator and then have their brew in the giant coffee cups,” he said.

Queensbridge Square would be transformed by the giant percolator. Supplied image.

Mr Di Virgilio said his business Tactile Mosaics would only ask the City of Melbourne to provide power and water, and a free-lease period for the cafe after which ownership would revert to the council.

“Alternatively, I would also be open to a paid grant or commission for the creation of the installation,” he said.

Last year, Mr Di Virgilio ­approached the office of Lord Mayor Sally Capp about the issue but the reception was lukewarm.

The Red Lips couch at Southbank made by mosaic artist Rob Di Virgilio.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman on Friday said Melbourne was a creative city and “we welcome ideas like Espresso Grande”.

“As our city grows we need to protect and enhance our public open spaces, and this area of Queensbridge Square is an important community meeting place,” she said.

“With 65 coffee machines per square kilometre in Melbourne’s CBD, you’re never more than 50m away from a coffee machine.”

The spokeswoman said the council would discuss the idea with Mr Di Virgilio.

[e-mail]

@JMasanauskas