Armada Collective revamps Pialligo Estate with Italian kitchen launch in
Armada Collective is relaunching Pialligo Estate as Pravino Estate with an Italian restaurant, Cucina, opening February 2027.
Armada Collective, the team behind The Boat House, Beltana Farm and Margot, quietly took over Pialligo Estate and is planning a grand reopening next year. The venue will be renamed Pravino Estate, with the kitchen and bar called Cucina, launching February 2027.
Chef Jason Lear is returning from Melbourne to run the space after years in Victoria's fine-dining restaurants. The menu will be heavily pasta-focused, with house-made fresh pasta at casual prices.
Armada is also taking on the gardens, olive grove and vineyard, with plans for a gelato cart and kids' playground. The estate struggled after its previous owner folded in 2023, reportedly owing $10 million, before Tony Denny bought it.
Armada's track record should give Canberrans confidence the venue can finally find stable ground.
- 10 million dollars
- Previous owner's reported debt
- February 2027
- Cucina launch date
- Melbourne
- Chef returning from
- about 50
- Tomato varieties growing
Why it mattersPialligo Estate is an iconic Canberra gathering spot that has struggled for years; a stable, well-run operator means the venue can serve the community as intended.
AustraliaCanberra families and event-bookers get a reliable destination restaurant and function venue again after years of uncertainty about the estate's future.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
