Suspicious fire at abandoned Albert Park Lake restaurant The Point

The Point restaurant at Albert Park Lake has been set alight as Parks Victoria reveals it was close to signing off on a new tenant for the abandoned venue, which has become an eyesore.

The abandoned The Point restaurant at Albert Park Lake. Picture: David Crosling

Parks Victoria was close to signing off on a tenant for an abandoned Albert Park Lake event space that was torched in a suspicious blaze overnight.

Officers patrolling Albert Park Lake discovered flames coming from The Point along Aquatic Dr early on Friday morning.

The entertainment and dining venue had been marked “temporarily closed” and no people were found inside at the time of the fire.

Fire Rescue Victoria crews worked donned breathing apparatus and entered the inferno just after 3.30am, with the fire engulfing the upper storey of the building.

The blaze was brought under control after about 30 minutes.

Victoria Police has cordoned off the building and the cause of the blaze is being investigated.

“At this stage the fire is being treated as suspicious and a crime scene has been established,” a Victoria Police spokesman said on Friday morning.

The closed down Point restaurant at Albert Park Lake. Friday. Picture: David Crosling

Expressions of Interest for the venue were previously floated by Parks Victoria until an interested party emerged in August last year.

It is understood plans are in the works to occupy and re-activate the building with designs and renders set to be released once the lease is settled.

Parks Victoria has managed The Point since it was abandoned in 2021, with daily patrols being conducted by rangers to secure the property.

Despite this, the building has been damaged and defaced, and turned into an eyesore.

Minor acts of vandalism at the abandoned site have been occurring since July this year, including an alleged underground rave party this month.

The rave, currently under investigation, hosted approximately 150 young people before the Public Order Response Team and local police shut the party down overnight on August 11.

In the following days, glass panelling was smashed, graffiti was sprayed and now the building has been set alight.

Parks Victoria regional director Sofia De Lesantis said they were concerned and left “deeply disappointed” by the recent incident.

“We are working to assess the damage and will take decisive steps to prevent such events in the future,” Ms De Lesantis said.

“We are actively cooperating with Victoria Police as they investigate this matter.”

Police at the scene on Friday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Early morning joggers and walkers passed police tape as the sun rose above the lake.

People stopped to take photos or watch on as officers probed the site.

Former Melbourne Football Club president Paul Gardner was out for a morning walk when he stopped and saw commotion around the building.

Having had lunches and enjoyed events at The Point in the past, he said it was a shame to see it in this state.

“It just hasn’t worked…the function centre always seemed to be pretty busy,” Mr Gardner said.

He said Friday monrning’s blaze was no shock, having watched the building slowly deteriorate bit by bit.

“It doesn’t surprise us, though, because every time we come down here there’s always something different — graffiti, a window broken,” he said.

Albert Park locals say it’s tragic the site has fallen into disrepair. Picture: David Crosling

Police at the scene on Friday morning. Picture: David Crosling

Once full of happy diners and partygoers — and situated in a prime location — Mr Gardner said to hear the building may be involved in a suspicious blaze was “tragic”.

“It’s terribly tragic, it’s a lovely part of the world,” he said.

“It’s great for a lot of people who live around here and enjoy it…it’s a shame.

“Hopefully someone will get into it eventually and turn it into something that will attract more people.”

City of Port Philip councillor Marcus Pearl came to inspect the damage on Friday morning.

Cr Pearl has been outspoken about the wasted potential and mismanagement of the site which he dubbed “the jewel in the crown” of Albert Park.

“It’s incredibly frustrating and it’s a sad state of affairs — this building has been derelict for some time,” he said.

“The state government has not looked after it or held their duties, they haven’t kept the building secure and they haven’t kept it in good order.

“It’s an open invitation for vandals and arsonists to come and destroy what is a Victorian asset.”

City of Port Philip councillor Marcus Pearl. Picture: Janine Eastgate

The government currently owns the property and Parks Victoria is responsible for its management.

Having heard from frustrated residents about the state and under-utilisation of The Point, Cr Pearl said he had recently contacted the state government about the state of the building, but was still waiting on a reply.

“They had ample opportunity to secure this building, and ultimately it’s been millions of dollars now of taxpayers money that’s been wasted because they couldn’t secure it,” he said.

Now after reports of break-ins, vandalism and even underground rave parties within the premises, Cr Pearl said Friday’s blaze was a “wake-up call” for the government.

“If we are reducing our budgets in certain areas, we need to make sure that we keep our assets and our people protected,” he said.

“That’s what should come first.”