Goya Dmytryshchak
Plans have been revealed for a container bar, outdoor cinema and food truck area over two vacant blocks in Footscray.
The proposed Bermuda Bar, which draws its name from the triangle-shaped block, would be at 4 Shelley Street, opposite the landmark Franco Cozzo store.
Applicant Toothpicks Creative plans to use an adjoining triangular block at 1 Byron Street for food trucks.
The bar would be expected to attract up to 350 patrons, and the trucks a further 100.
Toothpicks Creative managing director Wayne Boothman said the bar would be a “unique experience and destination”.
“This visionary new concept, close to the Port of Melbourne, combines seven shipping containers on a triangular block – hence the name Bermuda Bar – to create a restaurant/bar with a huge beer garden, which will show movies in summer,” he said.
“There will also be an adjacent triangular block attached, with a market garden growing fresh produce, that will be hosting special events up to 15 times a year with food trucks.
“This will be a one-of-a-kind in Melbourne city.”
The blocks are owned by Footscray couple Anil Kollipara and Lisa Proud.
Mr Kollipara said their vision was inspired by attending a mother’s group at nearby Fordham Reserve.
“In 2014, my partner and I had a boy and we used to go to a mother’s group in a park and that’s the closest park where we used to go,” he said.
“We are surrounded by all the shipping containers and I thought we’d do something with the shipping containers.
“We wanted to start something small but then partners came – The Hof Downtown people who run the German bar in the city – and we had a chat and they loved it and the project went a little bit bigger.
“But before all of this, I wanted to do something in that area for the mother’s group.
“I thought it’s a cool area to set up something so the mother’s group can come, other groups can come, and the kids can watch the trains passing by and go to the park as well.”
