Location: 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Opened: 1928
On the site of one of Melbourne's earliest play-houses, the Iron Pot, the Comedy Theatre is a 997 seat venue in the portfolio of David Marriner.
Although it was officially called The Olympic Theatre by its owner George Coppin, the colloquial name The Iron Pot was used primarily used by locals. It was built in 1855, and was abandoned in 1894. The Spanish styled Comedy Theatre is used for musicals, plays and comedy shows.
Related:
Forum Theatre
Regent Theatre
Tuesday 11 February 2014
Monday 10 February 2014
Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Melbourne
Location: Kings Domain, Melbourne
Opened: February, 1959
On February 12 1959, 30,000 people turned out to Kings Domain to witness Prime Minister Robert Menzies officially open the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Inspired by businessman and philanthropist Sidney Myer, the Bowl was funded using the funds in the Myer Foundation.
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Architect Barry Patten designed the Bowl which took one year to complete. It was designed with assistance from the CSIRO, particularly in ensuring the roof - as well as being visually striking - worked acoustically to amplify the sound up the hill.
The seating area at the front of the bowl holds 2,030 people, while the lawn section can hold another 10,000.
Opened: February, 1959
On February 12 1959, 30,000 people turned out to Kings Domain to witness Prime Minister Robert Menzies officially open the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Inspired by businessman and philanthropist Sidney Myer, the Bowl was funded using the funds in the Myer Foundation.
Architect Barry Patten designed the Bowl which took one year to complete. It was designed with assistance from the CSIRO, particularly in ensuring the roof - as well as being visually striking - worked acoustically to amplify the sound up the hill.
The seating area at the front of the bowl holds 2,030 people, while the lawn section can hold another 10,000.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is used throughout the year for concerts, most notably Carols By Candlelight on Christmas Eve. It also hosts the free concerts by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra which were established by Sidney Myer in 1929.
Related:
Sunday 9 February 2014
Forum Theatre, Melbourne
Location: Flinders Street, Melbourne
Opened: February, 1929.
On the corner of Flinders and Russell Street, the Forum Theatre is one of Melbourne's favourite entertainment venues. When it opened in 1929, its 3,371 seating capacity was the largest in Australia. Originally known as the State Theatre, it featured a dual-core Wurlitzer Organ which was relocated to Kingston Town Hall in 1963.
At this time, the State Theatre was purchased by the Greater Union Cinema Group, which converted it into two cinemas - The Forum and the Rapallo. 1981 renovations divided the venue into two venues, the Forum 1 is the main downstairs area with a capacity of 1500, and the Forum 2, a smaller upstairs section which fits nearly 600.
The venue fell into disrepair between 1985 and 1995, when it was redeveloped and purchased by David Marriner.
The theatre was designed by international theatre designer John Eberson. It is now used for concerts, as well as comedy and film festivals.
Related:
Regent Theatre
Opened: February, 1929.
On the corner of Flinders and Russell Street, the Forum Theatre is one of Melbourne's favourite entertainment venues. When it opened in 1929, its 3,371 seating capacity was the largest in Australia. Originally known as the State Theatre, it featured a dual-core Wurlitzer Organ which was relocated to Kingston Town Hall in 1963.
At this time, the State Theatre was purchased by the Greater Union Cinema Group, which converted it into two cinemas - The Forum and the Rapallo. 1981 renovations divided the venue into two venues, the Forum 1 is the main downstairs area with a capacity of 1500, and the Forum 2, a smaller upstairs section which fits nearly 600.
The venue fell into disrepair between 1985 and 1995, when it was redeveloped and purchased by David Marriner.
The theatre was designed by international theatre designer John Eberson. It is now used for concerts, as well as comedy and film festivals.
Related:
Regent Theatre
Saturday 8 February 2014
Regent Theatre - Melbourne
Location: Collins Street, Melbourne
Opened: 15 March, 1929
The 3,250 seat Regent Theatre opened on Collins Street in 1929 as part of Francis Thring's Regent franchise. On April 29 1945, fire struck the Regent and destroyed the auditorium, which took 2 years to rebuild.
Dogged by constant rumours of demolition in the 1960's, and in 1970 the Regent franchise - including venues in South Yarra and Ballarat - were closed down. The contents of the theaters were auctioned. Lord Mayor Alan Walley and his successor Ron Walker both supported the demolition of the theatre, despite a Save The Regent campaign attempting to save it. It was eventually saved by Premier Rupert Hamer, who created heritage protection that ensured its survival.
It sat dormant for 26 years until the grand vision of entrepreneur David Marriner's vision of restoration for the theatre was complete. In 1996, the venue reopened as a 2,162 seat theatre hosting musicals and plays.
Opened: 15 March, 1929
The 3,250 seat Regent Theatre opened on Collins Street in 1929 as part of Francis Thring's Regent franchise. On April 29 1945, fire struck the Regent and destroyed the auditorium, which took 2 years to rebuild.
Dogged by constant rumours of demolition in the 1960's, and in 1970 the Regent franchise - including venues in South Yarra and Ballarat - were closed down. The contents of the theaters were auctioned. Lord Mayor Alan Walley and his successor Ron Walker both supported the demolition of the theatre, despite a Save The Regent campaign attempting to save it. It was eventually saved by Premier Rupert Hamer, who created heritage protection that ensured its survival.
It sat dormant for 26 years until the grand vision of entrepreneur David Marriner's vision of restoration for the theatre was complete. In 1996, the venue reopened as a 2,162 seat theatre hosting musicals and plays.
Friday 7 February 2014
The Windsor Hotel - Melbourne
Location: Spring St, Melbourne
Opened: December, 1883
It was Shipping magnate George Nipper who commissioned Architect Charles Webb to build the hotel under the original name of The Grand. When Nipper sold the the hotel to James Munro and James Balfour, they set about expanding the hotel, doubling the size and adding the grand ballroom and staircase.
During the Temperance movement in the 1880's, the hotel was converted to a Coffee Palace. Liquor was banned during this period. It was 1897 before the license was regained and the hotel was renamed the Grand Hotel. In 1898, the hotel became part of Australian history when it was the venue for the drafting of Australia's constitution.
The current name, The Windsor Hotel, was given in 1920 in honour of the British royal family.
In the 1970's the Windsor was under the threat of demolition. A group of new hotels had substantially eaten into its market share and it was becoming run-down. The State Government, lead by Rupert Hamer, purchased the building and in 1980 it as leased to the Oberoi Group who ensured its survival. In 2005, the Halim family from Indonesia purchased the hotel, with a controversial redevelopment set to start in late 2014.
Opened: December, 1883
It was Shipping magnate George Nipper who commissioned Architect Charles Webb to build the hotel under the original name of The Grand. When Nipper sold the the hotel to James Munro and James Balfour, they set about expanding the hotel, doubling the size and adding the grand ballroom and staircase.
During the Temperance movement in the 1880's, the hotel was converted to a Coffee Palace. Liquor was banned during this period. It was 1897 before the license was regained and the hotel was renamed the Grand Hotel. In 1898, the hotel became part of Australian history when it was the venue for the drafting of Australia's constitution.
The current name, The Windsor Hotel, was given in 1920 in honour of the British royal family.
In the 1970's the Windsor was under the threat of demolition. A group of new hotels had substantially eaten into its market share and it was becoming run-down. The State Government, lead by Rupert Hamer, purchased the building and in 1980 it as leased to the Oberoi Group who ensured its survival. In 2005, the Halim family from Indonesia purchased the hotel, with a controversial redevelopment set to start in late 2014.
Thursday 6 February 2014
Royal Arcade - Melbourne
Location: Bourke St, Melbourne
Opened: May, 1870
Designed by architect Charles Webb, who won the design competition in 1868, Royal Arcade is one of the most treasured relics in inner Melbourne. Taking 11 months to construct, the Arcade was opened by Lord Mayor Charles Amess.
In 1892, the famous Gaunt's clock and statues of Gog and Magog were added. The sculpture still chimes hourly throughout the arcade. 10 years later, an annex was added to link the arcade to Elizabeth Street.
The land was purchased by Simon Staughton in 1855 for 650 pounds, 100 years later the Staughton family would sell the land nearly $550,000. The arcade was restored in 2002-2004, including the addition of a skylight to add natural light.
Related:
Block Arcade
Opened: May, 1870
Designed by architect Charles Webb, who won the design competition in 1868, Royal Arcade is one of the most treasured relics in inner Melbourne. Taking 11 months to construct, the Arcade was opened by Lord Mayor Charles Amess.
In 1892, the famous Gaunt's clock and statues of Gog and Magog were added. The sculpture still chimes hourly throughout the arcade. 10 years later, an annex was added to link the arcade to Elizabeth Street.
The land was purchased by Simon Staughton in 1855 for 650 pounds, 100 years later the Staughton family would sell the land nearly $550,000. The arcade was restored in 2002-2004, including the addition of a skylight to add natural light.
Related:
Block Arcade
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Block Arcade - Melbourne
Location: Collins and Elizabeth Street
Opened: 1892
Originally known as Carpenter's Lane, the Block Arcade is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destination. The story of the Block Arcade begins in 1889, when a fire started in the George's store on the current site. The fire was one of the biggest Melbourne had ever seen and lead to the creation of the Melbourne Fire Brigade.
David Askew was the architect given the job of designing the Block Arcade, which currently houses 29 retailers. One of them is the Hopetoun Team Rooms, which has operated in the arcade since 1892.
Opened: 1892
Originally known as Carpenter's Lane, the Block Arcade is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destination. The story of the Block Arcade begins in 1889, when a fire started in the George's store on the current site. The fire was one of the biggest Melbourne had ever seen and lead to the creation of the Melbourne Fire Brigade.
David Askew was the architect given the job of designing the Block Arcade, which currently houses 29 retailers. One of them is the Hopetoun Team Rooms, which has operated in the arcade since 1892.
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