Two Historic Melbourne Town Halls Await Revitalisation
Two of Melbourne’s most historic municipal buildings are at the centre of new discussions regarding their restoration and future use. While the Fitzroy Town Hall has been underused for decades, the South Melbourne Town Hall is seeking to rise from a significant architectural failure.
Fitzroy Town Hall: A Call to End the “Waste”
Built in the Victorian era, the Fitzroy Town Hall has remained largely empty since the 1990s council amalgamations.
Yarra mayor Stephen Jolly advocates for renovation, arguing the building is 'not fully utilised' and calling its emptiness a 'waste.'
The plan would see the building renovated to house council staff while also increasing access for community use.
South Melbourne Town Hall: Recovering from Collapse
The South Melbourne Town Hall, which has been home to the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) since 1996, suffered a severe roof collapse in October 2018.
The incident prompted ANAM and the City of Port Phillip to initiate a comprehensive restoration plan. Nick Bailey of ANAM noted that the building ‘had not been cared for’, and that the collapse forced urgent questions about safety and future use.
A Change of Heart on Heritage
The restoration has not been without controversy. Local historian Adair Bunnett initially opposed the plan, fearing a loss of historical character and exclusive use by ANAM.
However, Bunnett later expressed support after reviewing the designs by architect Peter Elliott. She highlighted the building's deep historical significance, noting it housed the first infant welfare centre and managed the Meals on Wheels program.
A Vision for Public Performance
The restoration plan aims to create a state-of-the-art performance and training space.
- The design features large windows and modern sound and lighting rigs.
- Nick Bailey stated the ambition is for the building to host public events nightly.
- The renovation seeks to balance modern functionality with the preservation of the building's historic fabric.