Pradella’s $125 million Light+Co. is set to ignite the West End cafe and restaurant scene, with its prime 380sqm street-level retail precinct, fronting Montague Road, fully-leased to a mix of dining and beauty businesses.
The precinct will be anchored by Monty’s Bakehouse Cafe and Bar, the brainchild of experienced Brisbane restaurateurs David and Peter Carter, who are famed for their Boucher French Bistro at Graceville, which has become a western suburbs favourite since opening in 2010.
The balance of the space will be occupied by Lupa Pizza Bar, La Macelleria Gelateria and AGLO Beauty, with the retailers to open progressively over the coming months.
Light+Co, which includes 229 one, two and three bedroom apartments across two towers – Illuminate and Radiance, is situated on the old South Brisbane Gas and Light company, and was completed late last year.
David Carter said Monty’s Bakehouse Cafe and Bar, due to open in August, would occupy 200sqm, including an alfresco space, and echo the heritage design synonymous with West End.
The menu is being designed by David’s brother and executive chef, Peter, who has worked in the hospitality industry for three decades in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“We are finalising plans for the fit-out of Monty’s, which will reflect West End’s iconic architecture including brickwork, timber and recycled materials,” said David.
“Monty’s will include an artisan bakery, offering freshly made European-style breads and pastries for breakfast and lunch, and will open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights with craft beer on tap. We will also be offering our own brand of coffee, which will be freshly roasted just metres from our premises.
“We had been waiting for an opportunity to establish our next venture and the location in West End, alongside an exciting mix of cafes, restaurants and bars, was ideal. We look forward to being part of one of Brisbane’s newest and most popular dining destinations.”
Lupa Pizza Bar owners Valentina Vigni and Andrea Contin will bring their authentic, Roman-style pizza with matched Italian wines and beers to Light +Co. this August.
The couple grew up in Italy and are consulting with one of the country’s best roman pizza expert, Marco Lungo, to introduce a ‘new style’ of pizza to Brisbane.
“Many of the pizzerias around Brisbane offer a Naples-style menu. We prefer traditional Roman-inspired pizzas as they are much lighter and healthier because we use a different preparation method, leaving the dough to rest for up to 72 hours,” Ms Vigni said.
“We are working with Marco Lungo, who is a Gambero Rosso awarded pizza expert in Italy, to bring our menu to life and introduce Brisbane to new flavour combinations not seen before.”
La Macelleria Gelateria owner Matteo Zini said the new store, his second in Brisbane, would offer traditional Gelato made on-site daily. He said the location in West End was ‘very attractive.’
“West End reminds me of Teneriffe three years ago, when we decided to open our first store there,” Mr Zini said.
“There is so much going on, particularly on Montague Road, with new buildings, shops and restaurants and I believe there is significant potential in the coming years to further build on this.
“Like other retailers in the Light+Co. precinct we will focus on authenticity. We will fit out this new store with our trademark ‘see-through’ gelato lab, complete with a vertical gelato machine which is perfect for creating traditional, Italian-style gelato. ”
AGLO Beauty will open its doors in mid June, offering a range of luxe beauty treatments including brow styling, manicures, pedicures, waxing, tanning and personalised services by experienced beauty therapists.
“Treatments will be tailored to customer needs and the salon will be open Tuesday through to Saturday, including weeknights.
Pradella director Kim Pradella said demand for the space had been strong.
“West End is undoubtedly one of Brisbane’s most transformative suburbs and our vision has always been to create a destination that encapsulates its history and the exciting future ahead,” he said.
“We are confident we have achieved a strong mix of tenants at Light+Co. that will complement the fabulous dining options available on Montague Road, and help take the area to the next level.”
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