The family behind the long-running Bocelli's Espresso have lodged plans for a major new hospitality venue on Hay Street Mall.
The family behind the long-running Bocelli's Espresso have lodged plans for a major new hospitality venue on Hay Street Mall.
A development application for a three-storey tavern at 655 Hay Street Mall, including a balcony, was lodged with the City of Perth two weeks ago.
The proponent is understood to be interests associated with Agnello family members who ran Bocelli's in Forrest Place for decades and still run cafes in Perth's CBD.
The proposed restaurant, named Espresso & Prosecco, has been in the works since early last year with a post on the venue's Facebook page saying it was "coming soon (in) mid 2021".
The social media post flagging the opening of the new venue was published when Bocelli's Espresso in Forrest Place was still operating in March 2021.
"We are small family business that has a passion for hospitality. With our award-winning coffee and gelato, our family has been serving people in the heart of Perth CBD for the past 30 years," the post said.
"We are now opening an exciting new multi level venue called Espresso & Prosecco in the Hay Street Mall, located next door to London Court.
"Espresso & Prosecco is an exciting new hospitality venue with a Mediterranean inspired theme. Activating Hay Street Mall with a relaxed alfresco overlooking London court serving both dine in and take away kitchen food or espresso and prosecco cocktails.
"Our upper levels have a viewing balcony and terrace; and rooftop pizzeria cocktail garden with 360-degree views of our amazing Perth City."
Works have started at 655 Hay Street Mall to restore the heritage facade.
Bocelli's Espresso cafe opened on Forrest Place in 1989 but was forced to close in June 2021 and the building has since been demolished.
The owner of Forrest Chase shopping centre, superannuation fund ISPT, launched legal action against City of Perth in the Supreme Court of WA last year.
In the Supreme Court writ, ISPT launched the lawsuit over allegations that the city had not acted on its promise to remove the cafe once the lease expired in February 2021.
The Agnello family launched an online petition to try and save Bocelli's Espresso cafe, which attracted almost 3,000 signatures.
The same team currently operates Bocelli Espresso - the Italian Corner Cafe at the corner of Wellington and William streets.
According to CoreLogic data, the property is owned by Five Lambs Investments and was sold in October 2019 for $3.85 million.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show Five Lambs Investments is owned by the Agnello family, of Menora.
Listed directors of Five Lambs Investments Francesco Agnello and Giuseppe Agnello were the owner and manager of Bocelli's Espresso at Forrest Place, respectively.
