The site of George Calombaris and Travis McAuley's third Hellenic restaurant is set to go back to the future after being leased to Rustica Sourdough founder Brenton Lang.

It represents the beginning of another new chapter for the well-known hospitality venue, which became Hotel Argentina last year after Mr Columbaris made the decision to close his Hellenic Republic restaurants. 

Mr Lang told WILLIAMS MEDIA he planned bring the venue back to its previous life as the Hobsons Bay Hotel.

At a glance:

• Rustic Sourdough founder Brenton Lang has signed a new 10-year lease on 28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown.
• The venue was previously operating as one of George Calombaris' Hellenic restaurants.
• The deal was negotiated Allard Shelton Directors Joseph Walton and Michael Ryan.

"The building has been operating as a pub since the early 1900s and I think Williamstown is lacking in quality options for the affluence of the area, in comparison with other parts of the city," he said.

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Source: Allard Shelton 

"We want to bring it back to public bar, dining area, and rooftop. 

"We will finish the job the Columbaris group started with the rooftop, turn the ground floor into mostly a dining area and split the public bar across two levels."

Comprising a building area of 580 square metres, 28 Ferguson Street includes multiple bars, indoor and outdoor dining options, as well as the potential for a rooftop terrace with views of the Melbourne CBD.

The new 10-year lease deal with 3 five-year options to extend was negotiated by Allard Shelton Directors Joseph Walton and Michael Ryan following a three-week sales campaign.

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The view from the rooftop. Source: Allard Shelton 

Mr Walton told WILLIAMS MEDIA the market response to the campaign and subsequent result was a strong endorsement for commercial prospects in the area going forward.

"The overall campaign fielded a fairly large volume of enquiry and we were particularly pleased to square it off with the group that has ended up taking it," he said.

"The new operators are going to bring something pretty special to the local area, which has always been well supported by residents within its municipality.

"We think the concept will be underpinned by a very active consumer base locally."

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