A family owned business for 100 years, what began as a modest service station and repairs workshop in the backstreets of Richmond is now an exclusive car showroom and established social landmark in the heart of South Yarra.
The legend began in a small Burnley Street garage 1911 when Albert Octavius Dutton began creating coachwork for vehicles such as Rolls-Royce, Hispano and Isotta Franchini. Built by Albert, this was the first Dutton Building.
It wasn't until over 50 years later that Albert's son Albie
Dutton began to develop the business into larger premises that
would house a service and repairs workshop with a new prestige car
and second hand car showroom. Making a name for themselves, Dutton
became the official Porsche repairs garage, and as the Dutton brand
grew, so did the family's involvement with other prestige marques -
Lancia, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Citroën.
In 1989, the second Dutton showroom was established down the road
at 525 Church Street in Richmond by Jeff Dutton and his father
Albie, who renovated an old chocolate factory, creating a unique
space for a prestige car dealership. Known as the doyen of rare and
collectable sports cars, Jeff's expertise and interests extended
into the auction world, consulting with Sotheby's and the Victorian
Musuem.
As such, the showroom fast become a social hub, and with a museum-like display of classic cars, auto-mobile memorabilia and artwork, and the first showroom with an in-house cafe, Cafe Veloce, opening in 1990 by food aficionado, Maurice Terzini (Caffé e Cucina, Otto, North Bondi Italian and Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons). The epitome of destination retail, the Dutton Showroom had become an inviting space that people came not only to view a most impressive collection of some of most spectacular classic cars, but also to meet friends, drop in for a coffee or stay for lunch.
In 2007, with a fourth generation on board (James and Simone), the third Dutton showroom opened its door in the Dutton Building in South Yarra. Designed by renowned Melbourne Architects Plus Architecture - a joint venture of Fender Katsilidis and SJB Architects - the building location on Claremont Street provides a street level showroom, designed for displaying rare and classic automobiles. The new showroom is home to one of the best selections of luxury cars in the Southern Hemisphere.