Pizza autentica for CBus' NAB Docklands building
Giovanni "Johnny" Di Francesco, one of only two Melbourne pizzaioli to be internationally accredited to make "real Neapolitan pizza", has signed on to be the anchor retail tenant at CBus' NAB development in Docklands.
The Italian eatery, 90 Secondi, will occupy a prominent 220-square-metre spot across from the entry to the stadium.
"It will be more a cafe pizzeria rather a restaurant pizzeria - a bit more modern, bit more casual," Mr Di Francesco said. "Docklands is a great area but it's underestimated. It needs more places like this."
Mr Di Francesco is the first Australian trained in the the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana accreditation, which safeguards the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza.
"CBus didn't want just the typical office cafe or food-court style operator in that spot," Fitzroys agent Andrew Hewett said.
The anchor lease caps a string of recent deals for Fitzroys along the 800 sq m retail concourse in the 15-level office tower at 700 Bourke Street, which is expected to open by the middle of the year.
The space will also be home to several other food and beverage outfits, including coffee specialists Dukes and In a Rush, and Japanese cafe Ichimaki. Sole office tenant NAB will open a branch on the concourse. Industry sources estimate rents in the precinct at about $1000 per sq m.
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Giovanni “Johnny” Di Francesco is opening his Italian eatery 90 Secondi as the anchor retail tenant at the CBus NAB development in Docklands, occupying a prominent spot across from the Etihad Stadium entry.
Di Francesco is the chef behind popular East Brunswick pizzeria 400 Gradi and is one of only two Melbourne pizzaioli internationally accredited to make authentic Neapolitan pizza. He has signed on to operate 90 Secondi as the anchor food tenant at the Docklands site.
90 Secondi will occupy a 220‑square‑metre space and will operate more as a modern, casual cafe‑pizzeria rather than a formal restaurant pizzeria.
The retail concourse sits in the 15‑level office tower at 700 Bourke Street in Docklands. The 800‑square‑metre retail concourse is part of the building and the development is expected to open by the middle of the year.
Other confirmed food and beverage tenants include coffee specialists Dukes and In a Rush, and Japanese cafe Ichimaki. The sole office tenant, NAB, will also open a branch on the concourse.
According to Fitzroys agent Andrew Hewett, CBus didn’t want a typical office cafe or food‑court operator in that prominent spot, opting instead for a distinctive operator like 90 Secondi.
Industry sources estimate rents in the precinct at about $1,000 per square metre.
The anchor lease for 90 Secondi caps a string of recent deals for Fitzroys along the 800 sqm retail concourse, signalling active leasing momentum for the 700 Bourke Street development in Docklands.
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