An existing workshop and showroom located at the end of a group of heritage buildings was renovated and refurbished to incorporate a revised gallery, office, workshop and showroom.

Vespa House, a landmark in the scooter history of Melbourne, was opened as a full time scooter workshop in 1956 by an immigrant from Northern Italy by the name of Vittorio (Tony) Tonon. It has passed through three generations with his son Frank and Frank’s sons, Dean and Jamal, respectively, to this day. The latest chapter of the Vespa House story has been the opening of their permanent showroom is February 1996 manned by a third generation Tonon, Dean.

Melbourne’s burgeoning inner city cafe culture and flat terrain make scooters an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to cars. “Vespa House”, “Tonon family”, “Vespa scooters” are all interchangeable terms in the history and legend of scooters in Melbourne, Australia.