Recreation
Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall integrated into the river front precinct. Photo courtesy John Gollings.
Hamer Hall interior. Photo courtesy John Gollings.
Opening a Melbourne musical icon to its Yarra river frontage.
Hamer Hall is Melbourne’s premier orchestra and concert hall, a heritage building home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The venue opened as the Melbourne Concert Hall on 6 November 1982 and renamed in 2004 in honour of former Victorian Premier Sir Rupert Hamer AC, KCMG ED, who served from 1972–81 and championed the building of what has become Arts Centre Melbourne.
Hamer Hall is a drum shape, circular concrete fort beside the Yarra River. Originally it resembled a closed citadel that excluded its surrounds, with no views to the river and opaque windows along St Kilda Road. The re-development project demolished the roof of the lower terrace, which was a dark, enclosed under-croft, before creating an entrance opening onto the riverbank and Southgate.
The project also renewed the interiors, including adding more bars and improving the floor plan configuration of existing outlets. The number and location of facilities such as toilets, stairs and escalators are also optimised for better visitor experience.
Working on one of Australia’s premier concert venues gave me immense pride—I often attend public events at this venue and appreciate the new relationship to the city.
$92M
Project Value
2,500
Venue Seats
13
Building Permits