Festival Hall to be demolished for apartment blocks, offices

PLANS to demolish Melbourne’s historic Festival Hall to make way for a multimillion-dollar apartment complex have come under fire, with music guru Molly Meldrum slamming the move. TAKE OUR POLL

PLANS to demolish Melbourne’s historic Festival Hall to make way for a multimillion-dollar apartment complex have come under fire.

Melbourne City Council has received a proposal to build two 16-storey towers at the site of the stadium built more than 100 years ago.

The $65 million plan would involve much of the original hall in West Melbourne being demolished and replaced by apartments, offices and retail spaces.

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Two 16-storey towers have been slated for a development on the site of Festival Hall.

News of the $65 million plan has dismayed music lovers.

Most of the historic venue would be demolished under the plan.

But historically significant parts of the stadium would remain, including the boxing ring and Dudley St entrance.

Architects Rothelowman said the redevelopment intended to “maintain and celebrate the memory of Festival Hall” while focusing on a new “high quality” public plaza and building.

Festival Hall was built by John Wren in 1915 and has hosted a bevy of world-famous bands including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Music guru Molly Meldrum said it would be a shame to lose Festival Hall.

The landmark venue could be demolished. Picture: Ellen Smith

“We can’t afford to lose any live music venues, but especially not one with the history and memories attached to Festival Hall,” Meldrum said.

“So many great bands have played there and continue to play there. Personally I’d hate to see it go as it was the place I saw my first concert which was the Beatles — until I got kicked out.”

Former pop star Ronnie Burns accompanied Meldrum to the Beatles concerts in 1964 and has fond memories of himself performing at the venue and seeing lots of entertainment including boxing.

Alice Cooper during his “Welcome to my Nightmare” tour show at Festival Hall in 1977.

Crowds queuing at Festival Hall in 1982.

George Harrison and John Lennon on stage at The Beatles’ 1964 Festival Hall concert.

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“It is iconic and it did wonderful things and it’s got a lot of memories,” he said.

“But I think you just have to move on and not be sad about it — I don’t like to see our history being torn down but in this case it’s a very old building and it’s probably time to move on.

“I’ll say I’m for it and I hope a lot of people don’t mind me saying that but it served the population for many, many decades.”

If approved, the proposal would likely to see the end of live music and sporting events at the stadium.