The Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and Peter Elliott Architecture today released their designs for the refurbishment and renewal of the South Melbourne Town Hall.
“Peter Elliott and his team have produced a visionary design that is both beautiful and practical, so that the 150-year-old Town Hall can continue to serve its community for another 150 years”, said ANAM Chair John Daley.
“Peter is a master restoration and contemporary architect and has been working on several projects at Parliament House Melbourne since 2015. Together with an assembled team of thirteen sub-consultants, including First Nations, acoustic, heritage and theatre designers, his proposal protects the important heritage of the building, and also renews it to meet the needs of today”.
The project, due for completion in 2026, features a new 150-seat venue to sit along-side the re-imagined 350 seat Main Hall, both venues boasting a 21st amenity and technical functionality. Together with a new foyer bar and lounge, a commercial catering kitchen, and public terrace, the South Melbourne Town Hall will be host to events from stand-up comedy to string quartets; local school concerts and speech nights to weddings and special occasions.
Architect Peter Elliot said: “ANAM’s reoccupation of the South Melbourne Town Hall is a rare legacy project: the building has great presence, character and historic significance. It can become a special place for ANAM – a home for making music and engaging with a wide audience. It will also be a destination venue and engine room for creative activity that will enrich the life of the local community and of Victoria.
“We are working closely with Aunty Gail and Aunty Julieanne of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to acknowledge the importance of First Nations history of the site in our design. The stories and cultural knowledge shared by the Aunties, have informed our way of envisioning how audiences might gather together in intimate surroundings, to enjoy music, dance and culture, as well as in more conventional formats”.
In early 2023 the Port Phillip community overwhelming supported ANAM’s vision to renew and refurbish the South Melbourne Town Hall. In March Port Phillip Council formally endorsed this by agreeing a Lease for up to 50 years in recognition of ANAM’s significant upgrades to the building.
With this agreement, ANAM tendered for principal design consultants, and engaged the experienced firm of Peter Elliott Architecture to deliver the project.
“If we can secure the funding to realise our vision, this once-in-a-generation project will provide certainty for ANAM’s future, and a cultural, training and community venue for all Victorians to enjoy”, said John Daley.
ANAM is continuing to discuss investment in the project with both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. Delivery of the project will bring 235 design and construction jobs to the State, and deliver transformative renewal and vitality to the local Town Hall precinct. 
Peter Elliott Pty Ltd Architecture + Urban Design is an established architectural and urban design practice with over 45 years’ experience. The practice has specialised in public commissions, including master planning for the full breadth of educational institutions. The office’s built work includes a variety of project types and scales predominantly for government, institutional organisations, schools and universities.
Peter Elliott Pty Ltd Architecture + Urban Design is widely acknowledged as a leader in the field, particularly involving education and the arts, having undertaken many high-profile projects. The practice has won over 80 State and National architecture awards which is a testament to the quality of design thinking and built outcomes.
For more information about the SMTH Restoration and Renewal: https://renewsmth.com.au