Overview
The South Yarra skyline is about to score a soaring new addition, with the upcoming opening of a luxe $800 million development, dubbed Capitol Grand. Once complete, the site will boast Melbourne's tallest building outside of the CBD, which will be home to over 50 floors of six-star luxury residential apartments, gyms, pools, an elevated garden and even an in-house cinema.
But what's even more exciting for locals, is that the building will also be home to a collection of exciting new restaurants, bars and cafes. Capitol Grand is promising options galore for all times of the day, from contemporary brunch spots through to late-night cocktail dens. And it'll be brought to life by a cast of big Melbourne hospitality names.
While Capitol Grand itself is owned by prominent Australian property developer Larry Kestelman, the whole food precinct will be overseen by Scottish-born chef Stephen Nairn, whose impressive resume boasts stints at Estelle by Scott Pickett, Vue de Monde and New York's three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. He'll be leading a star lineup of yet-to-be-announced culinary talent (we're promised) — and he'll be launching his own kitchen and restaurant, which is set to open onsite early next year.
While we'll have to wait until deep into 2020 to see most of the development come to fruition, the precinct's first restaurant is slated to be up and running by October this year. An all-day, 100-seat dining spot and "transformative multi-use community hub", it'll plate up a Euro-inspired menu featuring plenty of French and Italian classics.
In the meantime, Melburnians will be able to get a sneak peek of the new food precinct at a pop-up restaurant. Omnia, which will open at 25 Toorak Road in mid-May, will be showcasing dishes that have already been given the tick of approval by the development kitchen — and Nairn himself. We'll update you as soon as we know more.
Capitol Grand is slated for completion in 2020. Omnia will pop-up at 25 Toorak Road in mid-May.
Image: Samara Clifford