Farewell Espy: renovation signals new era

Just five days are left to experience the Espy of old before it closes on Sunday, May 17, for major renovations.

The Espy announced in a statement last week the "extensive" revamp would include sound and lighting upgrades of the Gershwin Room and new food and beverage spaces. Although it is not spelt out in the statement, sources say a new restaurant will be built in an upper floor of the building.

Port Phillip councillor Serge Thomann took to his Facebook page to welcome the announcement, saying The Espy, with its furniture patched with gaffer tape, was clearly in need of a facelift.

"Having a restaurant on the first floor which is not being used at the moment by the public is a great outcome," he wrote.

The Espy is slated to reopen this summer.

Meanwhile, the publicity-shy owners' other major renovation - of Fitzroy's Old Colonial Inn - is nearing completion, almost three years after the initial plans were submitted to council. The carpenters are busy installing infrastructure for the Japanese izakaya, and new first and second floor deck. It looks set to open in the spring.