One of Malvern’s oldest pubs is about to start a new chapter, with The Angel of Malvern slated to reopen as a three-storey “village of venues” at the heart of Kokoda Property’s Malvern Collective precinct from April 2026.
Landmark Pub Returns To Station Place
First poured as The Gardiner Hotel in 1856, the corner site at Glenferrie and Dandenong Roads has long been a waypoint for locals and travellers spilling out of Malvern Station.
After a meticulous restoration under Kokoda Property, the venue will return under the custodianship of new hospitality outfit Refinery Group as the flagship bar and dining destination for the $450‑million Malvern Collective development.
Opening in stages across April and June 2026, the relaunch positions The Angel as the social anchor for a precinct that already combines luxury apartments with a laneway-style mix of retail, fitness and everyday services.
Mark Stevens, founder and managing director of Kokoda Property Group and Refinery Group, says the company is taking the design language it uses in residential projects and applying it to hospitality.
“Refinery Group created this to bring the same design rigour and long-term thinking from our residential developments into hospitality,” Stevens says. “The Angel of Malvern shows that vision in action—a concept-led, culturally grounded venue where architecture, food, service, and atmosphere work as one.”
Three Levels, Three Moods
The Angel abandons the single-format pub model, offering a stacked, multi-level experience with a distinct personality on each floor. A welcoming public bar will anchor the ground level, geared to weeknight knock-offs, casual group catch‑ups and match‑day sessions for locals streaming off the train.
A Mediterranean‑inspired eatery and wine bar upstairs will shift the tempo, with a focus on seasonal produce, share‑friendly plates and a cellar list suited to long lunches and date nights.
Finally, the top floor will dial things down and lights low, trading in late‑night speakeasy vibes, cocktails and flexible event spaces aimed at milestone celebrations and after‑dark bookings.
“We’re not interested in creating a one-dimensional pub,” Stevens says. “Each level has its own identity and energy, but together they form a cohesive experience grounded in quality and generosity. For us, great hospitality isn’t just about what’s served, it’s about how a place makes people feel.”
Food Direction From A Local Heavy-Hitter
In addition, the menu across all three levels will sit under the guidance of chef and Australian hospitality veteran Justin North, who joins Refinery Group as executive chef.
With more than three decades in kitchens spanning hotels, restaurants and large‑scale precincts, North is pushing a produce-led, technique‑driven approach rather than a collection of disconnected offerings.
“The Angel of Malvern has been designed as a layered hospitality experience, with each level offering its own character while remaining grounded in quality and consistency,” North says.
“Whether it’s a reimagined take on classic pub favourites on the ground floor, a Mediterranean‑inspired experience on level one, or a late-night escape with a speakeasy vibe with unexpected bar snacks above, across the venue, the ambition is simple; to create food and drink that feels generous, confident and worth returning for.”
Design That Respects Its Bones
Architecture firm Studio McCue has been tasked with threading contemporary design through the building’s heritage shell. Early visuals and commentary suggest a balance of original textures and industrial elements with bespoke detailing, aiming to keep the patina of the 19th‑century pub while opening it up to a modern crowd.
“By carefully balancing original textures with modern materials, we’ve created a space that honours the venue’s history while offering a fresh, dynamic experience. The design ensures a seamless connection between the venue’s different levels, combining functionality with a visually rich atmosphere that feels both authentic and welcoming.” Studio McCue founder and director Chris McCue says.
First Step To Bigger Move
For Kokoda and Refinery Group, The Angel of Malvern is less a one‑off and more a statement of intent.
Kokoda is launching the venue as the first in a pipeline of more than 10 hospitality brands planned across Melbourne and Brisbane. The move builds on the group’s recent push into precinct-based food and drink, including its acquisition of the St Kilda landmark The Saint, which it plans to reboot in 2026.
With Malvern Collective completing its residential towers, The Angel reopens, kicking the precinct’s social life into gear—and showing how Melbourne is reimagining its historic pubs as multi-layered, design-driven neighbourhood hubs instead of just places to grab a pot.
Finally, The Angel of Malvern will open at 641 Dandenong Road, Malvern in April 2026
