Alma Doepel barge earmarked for floating hospitality venue ATET
A “floating, open-air oasis” is coming to Docklands.
The Alma Doepel barge, at Shed 2, North Wharf Road, has sold and is being replaced with a hospitality venue, available for everything from parties to yoga events.
A seasonal cinema could even occupy the two level space, earmarked for a 40×12 metre pod.
Branded ATET – after the ancient Egyptian boat of sun god Ra – the complex will contain a retractable roof.
It is expected to accommodate about 600 guests.
Developer Jake Hughes told the Docklands News last month that the facility will be movable – meaning it could be accessed from Harbour Esplanade.
It could also connect to ferry services and Collins Street trams.
“We fell in love with the location at the end of North Wharf,” the Gippsland architect said (story continues below).
“It’s a part of Melbourne that almost no one has ever really experienced, it feels like a completely forgotten space,” he added.
“The site is almost underneath Bolte Bridge which provides such a dramatic backdrop, the whole setting feels a bit surreal.
“We’ll be doing music events, corporate events, weddings; events that people are specifically coming for…so we think we can really help draw people back into the area,” Mr Hughes added.
The barge was built to restore the tall Alma Doepel ship – something which is expected can be completed with venue proceeds.
The c$1 million facility has been four years in the making.
Construction is set to start shortly and be completed by late spring.
