Opening date for renovated historic CBD hotel nears

A MAN poked his head inside the front door of the Metropole Hotel and lobbed a question at owners Kosta and Jasmine Theodosis – “When are ya going to open?"

A MAN poked his head inside the front door of the Metropole Hotel and lobbed a question at owners Kosta and Jasmine Theodosis - "When are ya going to open?"

"Mid-March" comes the reply.

"Great. I can't wait," the man said, and continued on down Ruthven St.

It's a scene that's been repeated any time the door has been left open in the three months since renovations began on the historic watering hole.

Jasmine and Kosta Theodosis are excited with work done so far on the renovation of the Metropole Hotel, as of January 16, 2020. Picture: Matthew Newton

But it's been welcomed by the couple - who say the steady stream of stories from passers-by has been one of the most interesting parts of the project so far.

Jasmine and Kosta Theodosis in the front bar of the Metropole Hotel in October 2019. Photo Bev Lacey

"The amount of people coming in and telling just crazy stories about things over the years, it's been amazing," Mr Theodosis said.

First, there's the pervasive myth of the huge brown snake that lives under the floorboards of the hotel.

In three months of renovations, the Theodosis' have yet to come across the gargantuan serpent.

Another time someone was bitten by a dog in the bar.

Then there was the story about a bloke who sleepwalked off the upstairs balcony.

"John Taylor, of Cooyard, a boarder at the Metropole Hotel, walked in his sleep this morning and fell over the balcony, a distance of 18 ft," the Daily Standard reported on April 23, 1921.

"Slight shock was the only result," the report concluded.

The amount of work the Theodosis' have accomplished in three months is significant.

It was a much bigger project than they first envisaged.

"We were starting with more humble ideas and then as soon as you do one thing you go - wouldn't it be great if we also did this?" Mr Theodosis explained.

"And we've done a lot more than we were initially planning to do. We're thinking - let's go all in and make it the best we possibly can.

"Ninety per cent (of the hotel) is painted. The floors are in. Now it's just the fit-out."

The couple is eyeing off a mid-March opening date, and are currently recruiting bartenders and a chef.

Anyone interested should email an application to [e-mail].

They've also settled on a name - The Met.