Espy Closure Extended Indefinitely

St Kilda live-music icon The Esplanade Hotel was expected to re-open its doors in time for summer following the announcement of some lengthy renovations earlier this year, however it has now been confirmed that the beloved venue will remain closed indefinitely due to a number of objections regarding the proposed works. 

As Herald Sun reports, Port Phillip Council announced over the weekend that they had received 26 objections to a proposed 145 square metre rooftop terrace.

Local resident Viviane Burnett is one of those who submitted an objection to the renovations and cited her concerns about noise and increased drunken behaviour at the venue. 

Burnett believes the owners' planning permit should include strict rules regarding the rooftop area, a ban on loud music and an 11pm cut-off. 

"At the moment we don’t hear anything because it is very well insulated," Burnett said.

"But sound reverberates from higher storeys...They want a 145 square metre terrace for 200 patrons; I think it needs some controls."

Meanwhile, the St Kilda Live Music group has thrown its support behind the rooftop plan, on the grounds of soundproofing the area and the hope that the proposed terrace would not affect live music at the Espy.

Adding to this, the venue owners currently only hold a planning permit for internal renovations and will now face a long wait for an external permit.

As well as the new rooftop terrace, other additions to the Espy include upgrading stalwart space the Gershwin Room with revamped sound and lighting for live music, and the introduction of new food and beverage spaces.