Malthouse Upgrade Project
MALTHOUSE UPGRADE PROJECT
Supported by the Victorian Government, Malthouse will undergo a major upgrade through 2022, which will enable us to offer our outdoor stage as an annual fixture, improve the overall visitor experience, and help preserve our historic Southbank building.
The upgrade follows two successful summer Malthouse Outdoor Stage seasons—an initiative that started as a response to the pandemic, enabled with the support of the Victorian Government and the Sidney Myer Fund, which has proved to be a success story for the city, providing a new site for live outdoor entertainment.
Malthouse’s Outdoor Stage has been embraced by audiences, with more than 25,000 people attending over 80 performances in the past two years, including live music, comedy, cabaret and literary events.
Building works have begun and are set to be completed by late 2023.
The project will improve infrastructure so the outdoor stage is easier to install and dismantle each season and to better support performers. This includes courtyard resurfacing, an outdoor tech-desk, electrical work, lighting and stage footings, along with upgrades to the Malthouse workshop to allow for a green room for the Outdoor Stage.
Inside the building there will be refurbishment of the bar and foyer and works to the bar to allow access from the outdoor courtyard. Upgrades will also include replacement of the Malthouse building’s roof.
The improvements will further enliven the Melbourne Arts Precinct, and provide long-term benefits to Malthouse, along with our creative neighbours, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) and Chunky Move and Melbourne’s creative community.
FAQs
The Victorian Government is upgrading Melbourne’s iconic Malthouse Theatre, to improve the visitor experience, help preserve the historic building and enable the presentation of outdoor performances and events.
With a total investment of $4.6 million, the upgrade building works will start in June and the project will be finished by late 2023.
The upgrade follows two successful Outdoor Stage seasons at Malthouse – an initiative that started as a response to the challenges of COVID-19, but has proved to be an ongoing success story in presenting live entertainment and enlivening the precinct.
The project will mean that the popular Outdoor Stage will become a regular fixture at Malthouse in the summer months.
The works being undertaken as part of this project will make it easier for the outdoor stage to be erected for the beginning of each season, and dismantled at its end. On top of that, the project will include a tech desk at the site entrance, courtyard resurfacing to make the area more usable, upgrades to the Malthouse workshop to allow for a green room for performers and new wayfinding signage to make it easier for visitors to navigate the site.
Neighbouring residents will be kept informed about the project via a number of channels:
- Flyers via letterbox drops
- Emails (where known)
- Residents can contact the Malthouse via the form below to submit questions that are not answered here.
The project will endeavour to keep any construction noise to a minimum. Any construction related noise will be managed to ensure it meets council guidelines during designated times. Early morning starts will be avoided wherever possible.
It is unlikely the works will create road access issues. Public parking will be used by the contractors, but will be kept to a minimum where possible. Car share arrangements by construction workers will be encouraged.
Both the Malthouse Bar and Café will operate in a limited capacity during the works, with both anticipated to close for a period during specific works on those amenities. Please check malthousetheatre.com.au/eat-and-drink for detailed information on closure times.
Access to The Malthouse courtyard will be limited during the resurfacing phase of the building works. School groups are advised to gather on the north side of the forecourt on the Grant Street façade.
Alternative shaded seating areas and food vendors are located opposite ACCA, outside 116 Sturt Street, Southbank.
Residents and local business owners can register to receive monthly project updates by registering via the form below
Sign up for updates or submit a question:
The Malthouse Upgrade Project is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
