“A New Chapter”: Three New Venues To Open in the King & Godfree Building

When King & Godfree closed for renovations last year – shortly after reopening in 2018, after a three-year refurb – Carlton started talking.

The historic building on the corner of Lygon and Faraday streets has been a staple of the community since 1871, when it first opened as a grocery store. But little information was revealed about what was next for the site.

When the doors reopen in December, it will be under the ownership of Jamie Valmorbida – grandson of Carlo Valmorbida, who took over the heritage-listed Carlton site in 1955 and established it as one of Melbourne’s most iconic food insitutions. Jamie has been involved in the business for some time, and with these three new venues intends to lead the Melbourne landmark into a new era.

“After seeing the success of Johnny’s Green Room, it became clear that the building’s strength lies in hospitality – in creating places for people to gather, eat and drink, and connect,” Jamie tells Broadsheet. “This next phase builds on that momentum. It’s less a renovation and more a new chapter – introducing entirely new concepts that refine the vision for the building as a true neighbourhood precinct connecting old and new Carlton.”

A major change? The deli won’t be returning.

“Letting go of the deli wasn’t easy, but it was time to move forward,” Jamie says. In its place will be a new all-day neighbourhood osteria and wine bar. A pizzeria will move into the old Agostino space, and a basement-level cocktail and music bar will take over the former wine cellar and events space, which will be open to the public for the first time.

“The essence of the deli – great produce, convivial service and Italian hospitality – continues through the new venues,” Jamie says. “And those same ingredients and flavours are now woven into the menus.”

The pizzeria is the first of the new spaces to open, in December. “We’re blending influences from Naples, Tokyo, and New York – charred crusts, airy bases and creative toppings,” Jamie says.

For the new venues (names, not yet revealed) Jamie has enlisted the crew behind the 2024 revamp of Johnny’s Green Room , including longtime collaborator and interior architect Dion Hall ( Her , Supernormal ), and Karen Martini ( Bar Carolina ) who will serve as culinary director.

New members of the team include Joel Penno (Elwood Bathers, Stokehouse), coming on board as general manager, and Mark Glenn (Cumulus Inc., Dinner by Heston) as executive chef.

“This next chapter is about carrying forward 150 years of history in a way that feels alive and relevant today,” Jamie says. “The building has always been a meeting place for the community – that’s what we’re continuing. It’s Italian at its core, but it’s also distinctly Carlton.”

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