[Updated 1 September] Once a celebrated, hatted restaurant, The Point on Albert Park Lake is owned by the Crown and managed by Parks Vic. Recently ravaged by fire, the building has been vacant, unloved and overlooked by a bureaucrats and government for too long.
See the glory days on Google
Instagram says it’s Melbourne’s Most Picturesque Lakeside Destination. Trip Advisor rates it 4.5 stars saying “The Point has a wonderful little Chinese restaurant called the ‘Hidden Jade’ it offers lovely Yum Cha, excellent views of the lake, and brilliant service.” Wedding planners boast that it’s situated on the waters edge of Albert Park lake, with stunning views of the lake and the Melbourne City skyline. Now it’s a government owned and ‘managed’ eye-sore.
Radio news one day, fire the next
Port Phillip Cr Marcus Pearl took to the airwaves last week to draw attention to the neglect of the site. He told radio 3AW that he was deeply concerned about the current state of the Point Restaurant building.
“It is disheartening to see that Parks Victoria has allowed this asset, which is owned by all Victorians, to fall into such a shambolic state of disrepair.”
He and others told the radio station that the vacant building was being used for rave parties and by homeless people.
The very next day, Fire Rescue Victoria were called by the police to attend a significant fire at the venue.
This inflamed Cr Peral who stepped up his criticism: “I am saddened but not surprised by the fire that occurred last night at The Point Restaurant in Albert Park. This event is yet another stark reminder of Parks Victoria’s ongoing neglect and mismanagement of this critical community asset.
“Parks Victoria has failed in its duty to protect this public asset, and now Victorians are paying the price. Our community deserves better. Enough is enough.”
Years of inaction
Despite being run as a successful venue for over 20 years, the wheels started to fall off in May 2018 when Hidden Jade pulled up stumps. It struggled on as a function venue until about three years ago.
TWiSK understands that a combination of COVID and the lengthy Grand Prix set up and bump out times prompted the previous operators to close. After which an EOI by PV attracted serious interest, but the possible operators had been left ‘hanging’ despite costly bid preparations.
The question remains, what are Parks Victoria’s intentions? Do they get The Point?
TWiSK will seek a response ….. [updated 1 September]
Parks Victoria Regional Director Sofia De Lesantis provided this response:
“We are concerned and deeply disappointed by the recent incident at The Point at Albert Park. Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of our employees and the local community, and we are grateful no one was injured.
We have taken decisive steps to secure the site and prevent such events in the future, including regular security patrols.
We are working with our insurers to commence remedial works as soon as possible and we will endeavour to keep the community informed of our progress.”
Parks Vic also said:
Parks Victoria has managed The Point at Albert Park since it was vacated in 2021. Parks Victoria rangers have been patrolling the building every day and attend to any vandalism/damage as it is identified.
Parks Victoria ran an Expression of Interest process for the lease which concluded in August 2023. We are working with the preferred proponent for imminent sign-off on the lease to re-activate the site and will provide share designs and renders once the lease is finalised.
The building requires significant investment to make it suitable for a business to occupy and to comply with the necessary safety standards.
