Former AFL player and Lamaro’s Hotel publican Paul Dimattina is making a major bet on the comeback of one of Melbourne’s most famous entertainment strips.
Dimattina has signed on to anchor Fortis’s $131m The Gild development in St Kilda, with a new cafe and neighbourhood deli planned for Fitzroy St.
The move gives the once-glamorous beachside strip a major hospitality name as developers, hoteliers and business owners try to drag the precinct into its next chapter.
The former Western Bulldogs player said Fitzroy St’s identity made it the right place for his next hospitality move.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the revitalisation of Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, it has such a rich identity, and it feels like the right home for what we’re building,” Dimattina said.
“The cafe and deli will be an ode to our family’s history, culture, and our love of coffee and gourmet foods.”
The cafe will serve Dimattina Coffee, while the deli will offer premium produce, prepared meals and pantry staples.
Both venues are expected to open when The Gild is completed in the first half of 2028.
Fitzroy St has long been known for its pubs, restaurants, beachside nightlife and colourful St Kilda edge, but the strip has also battled empty shops and concerns about street disorder in recent years.
Dimattina’s deal is part of a wider Fortis-led St Kilda Collective push contributing more than $196m in development activity across the precinct.
The broader activity includes AirTrunk billionaire Robin Khuda’s separate redevelopment at 3-15 Fitzroy Street through Ondas, ERDI’s redevelopment of the former Rydges site into Novotel St Kilda, The Prince Hotel’s refresh under Grant Smillie and The Ganley Group’s expansion of heritage-listed pub The Fifth Province.
Fortis Victorian commercial head of acquisitions Jordan Winada said Dimattina’s commitment showed confidence in Fitzroy Street’s future.
“Paul Dimattina’s cafe and deli at The Gild are exactly the kind of everyday hospitality offerings Fitzroy Street has been missing,” Mr Winada said.
“We expect these venues to become part of the local routine for residents and a drawcard for visitors, helping to bring activity back to the precinct.
“With Dimattina as our anchor tenant, The Gild is well placed to contribute to Fitzroy St’s revitalisation and help shape its next chapter.”
The latest investment wave is being positioned as a turning point for the famous strip, with major property and hospitality players betting new apartments, hotels, bars, cafes and retail will help pull regular foot traffic back.
Mr Smillie said Fitzroy St was attracting renewed attention from investors and operators.
“Fitzroy Street has always been one of Melbourne’s great hospitality precincts,” Mr Smillie said.
“What we’re seeing now is a renewed confidence from investors, developers, operators and business owners who recognise St Kilda’s potential.”
The Gild will include 45 one, two and three-bedroom homes, including penthouses, above its street-level venues.
Residents will also have access to private dining, a wellness studio, sauna, steam room, landscaped courtyard and rooftop entertaining areas with views across Port Phillip Bay and the city.
Building has started at the 61-73 Fitzroy St site, with completion scheduled for the first half of 2028.
