2028 January - ANAM’s projected return home.
2025
Main Hall Roof Space (August 2025 – May 2026)
Significant and sensitive structural works have commenced in the Main Hall roof space – a combined approach by both CoPP and ANAM. The Main Hall’s heritage elements will be protected and preserved while works occur to safeguard the structural integrity of the heart of the Town Hall. City of Port Phillip’s works ensure the Main Hall is structurally and seismically strengthened, while installing a brand new, acoustically treated roof to the Main Hall as part of ANAM’s variation request.
ANAM’s own works provide further structural bracing to accommodate the state-of-the-art theatre and AV equipment, circular rigging, safe catwalk system, and acoustic reflectors to service the future 350-seat performance venue. A new internal ladder/stair and equipment hoist will also be installed at the North of the building.
The West Wing (September 2025 – October 2025)
In September ANAM’s work officially began on the South Melbourne Town Hall in concurrence with the City of Port Phillip on the building’s West Wing. Careful and intentional demolition to the West Wing has occurred, as approved by Heritage Victoria and City of Port Phillip.
Internally, old partitions were removed to create open spaces and accommodate upgraded building services; the existing lift shaft has been demolished to create a new, fit for purpose lift capable of transporting a Steinway grand piano or marimba.
Externally, the 1930’s addition Former Assistant Librarian’s apartment on the Level 1 North-West corner has been demolished to make way for the new build North-West Annexe, to house a beautifully appointed recording studio. This corner of the building previously sat at a different level to the rest of the building, so was non-compliant from an accessibility and egress perspective.
The design objective is to bring this part of the building up to the same level as the rest of the first floor, without altering the existing Ground Floor façade line. These Heritage Victoria-approved demolition works occurring early allows for integrated strengthening and seismic works to be undertaken throughout the West Wing prior to any new construction commencing, to ensure the building is strong and sound for the future.
2024
Peter Elliott AM shares an update on the renewal project.
2023
The City of Port Phillip grants ANAM a 50-year lease (35 years + 15 years) and agrees to invest $30m to undertake building rectification works prior to ANAM’s work commencing.
ANAM Appoints Peter Elliott Architects as the lead consultants for the much-anticipated restoration and renewal of the South Melbourne Town Hall.
2022
In a community consultation run by the City of Port Phillip, local residents and businesses vote overwhelmingly in support of ANAM’s proposal to restore the Town Hall (91% of 487 public submissions received).
2020
Engineering investigation of the building uncovers further serious structural issues in the roof structures. The building is again declared unsafe, leading to ANAM’s evacuation and temporary relocation.
2019
The building is declared safe and ANAM returns.
2018
A roof failure leads to the collapse of a major roof beam in the ANAM office area, bring down the roof (narrowly missing two ANAM staff at their desks) and the sprinkler system extensively flooding the building’s West Wing, leading to the evacuation and temporary relocation of all tenants.
2017
ANAM signs a new 15-year lease.
2002
Restoration of the Town Hall’s exteriors is undertaken, reinstating much of the building’s original ochre coloured skim coat, and reconstructing original mansard roofs, iron cresting and decorative parapet urns. The mansard roof reconstructions and completion of works to the clock tower receive a large grant from Heritage Victoria.
1997
Following the relocation of civic functions to St Kilda Town Hall, ANAM is granted a 20-year lease to occupy 54% of the building that was left vacant.
1994-95
South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and St Kilda are brought together into City of Port Phillip. The new City of Port Phillip inherits three grand-scale Victorian-era town halls at South Melbourne, St Kilda and Port Melbourne.
1855
District of Emerald Hill proclaimed and First Emerald Hill Council elected in June.
Orphan Asylum opens on site of current Town Hall (relocated in 1875 for the new Town Hall to be built).
1879
South Melbourne Town Hall opens. The building houses Council Chambers, a public hall, the Mechanics Institute, the local police and courthouse, post and telegraph offices and the local volunteer fire brigade.
Public Library in 1944
1878
Emeral Hill Council holds a design competition for its new Town Hall, electing architect Charles Webb (St Paul’s Church, the Windsor Hotel, Royal Arcade). Project budget £22,000.