AusLeisure

Melbourne's historic Palace Theatre Melbourne could be demolished to make way for a luxury 5-star hotel and apartment complex set to cost around $180 million.

Sold last year to Chinese property investment firm Jinshan Investments, The Border Mail has reported that the new owners have now revealed plans for a 205-room hotel and 145 apartments to replace the three-storey venue.

Plans for the hotel/apartment complex have been submitted to the Victorian Government, with the developer hoping to be permitted to demolish the entire complex, leaving nothing of the century old facade or interior. The 2,000-capacity venue, which has been operating as a live music venue since 1987, is partially covered as a Melbourne Heritage-listed site, but with only its facade being protected as a heritage precinct leaving its interior technically unprotected.

Heritage and live music groups are opposing the plan, with heritage protection advocacy group Melbourne Heritage Action spokesperson Rohan Storey, highlighting that it is the interior of the venue that was more significant from a heritage perspective rather than its façade.

However, Storey explained "the city of Melbourne can't or hasn't protected any interiors yet."

The National Trust are also concerned about the proposed development, with a spokesperson stressing that it could set the city on a dangerous course.

The spokesperson stated "I think in 20 years this precinct could be transformed unless the minister draws a line in the sand," highlighting concerns that the recently approved redevelopment of the neighbouring Windsor Hotel may have set a precedent.

Built as atheatre 1912, and remodelled in 1916 and 1923 by theatre architect Harry White, the Theatre's facade is in a 1950s Art Deco style.

The Palace Theatre promotes itself as "Australia's premier live music, entertainment and function venue located in the heart of Melbourne's business and tourism district."

http://melbourneheritage.org.au/

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