The St. Moritz was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922–3, opened in October 1923, a very large dance hall[2] designed by architects Beaver & Purnell.

[3][4][5] Located on the Upper Esplanade in St Kilda, it was part of the transformation in the early 20th century of the foreshore area from a row of mansions facing a beach, into a playground for the masses.

The cost of entry to the official opening of the St. Moritz Ice Rink was 5 shillings, which was inclusive of tax as well as skate hire for the night for over 2000 people that attended.

[10] The St. Moritz rink operated for over forty years, but in the 1970s trade declined in the face of competition from newer venues in the suburbs as well as roller skating and discotheques.

In 1980 it was sold to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox (who had grown up in St Kilda and played ice hockey in the venue), but continued to operate, closing suddenly in early 1982, amid fears for its future.

It was then nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued.

[12] Two neon signs of skating girls were rescued from the facade by local identity Tom Ingram, one of which was re-erected within the cafe of the hotel, then covered over, rediscovered in 2005, and then donated to the St Kilda Historical Society.