St Kilda Art Hotel Changes Hands After Three Decades

The landmark Tolarno Hotel in Melbourne’s St Kilda has changed hands.

Founded by painter Mirka and her husband, Georges Mora, in the 1960s, the 37-room hotel contains original artwork by Mirka Mora.

Current owners of the site James Fagan and Bernard Corser, who held the property for about 30 years, sold the 968sq m site at 42 Fitzroy Street to an unnamed investor for $6 million.

Former TV chef Iain Hewitson—of lifestyle show Healthy, Wealthy and Wise and Huey’s Cooking Adventures—ran the hotel restaurant for 15 years until 2006.

Scott Callow and Nathan Mufale from CBRE handled the sale. 

The site comes with approved plans for another level with nine additional rooms.

Mirka and Georges arrived in Melbourne from Paris in 1951 after living through the Holocaust and World War II.

Georges had fought as a resistance fighter against the Germans.

After an adventure-filled life and more than 35 exhibitions of her work, Mirka died in 2018.

▲ The Tolarno Hotel was founded by Mirka and Georges Mora.

The Mora family used the third floor of the building as its family residence and Mirka’s art studio.

Each of the 37 rooms features Mirka’s art as well as murals throughout the hotel.

The Tolarno is 15 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD via tram and is within walking distance of St Kilda Beach. 

Callow said the unnamed buyer was no stranger to the St Kilda area. 

“Tolarno Hotel is immediately recognisable as a part of St Kilda’s history,” Callow said. 

“I am pleased that the buyer of the hotel has history in the area and will continue its legacy as a Fitzroy St landmark.”