Arts Centre Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne is a performing arts center on the Yarra River in Southbank, housing several halls beneath a tall copper-clad spire. The venue spreads over multiple levels, with underground stages and an open promenade along the water.

Architect Roy Grounds designed the complex in the 1960s, and construction began in 1973. The opening took place in 1984 after more than a decade of building work.

The name reflects its role as a home for stage arts in Melbourne, and visitors today see rehearsals, public performances, and rotating displays in the foyer. The collection includes costumes, set pieces, and playbills from over a century of Australian performance history.

Guided tours run daily and cover public areas and theater halls, with expanded backstage routes available on Sundays. Entry to foyer areas is free and allows visitors to walk through without a ticket.

The copper spire weighs about 90 tons (82 metric tons) and serves as a landmark along the riverfront, visible from large parts of the city. The underground layout uses natural cooling from the earth and reduces energy demand for air conditioning considerably.

Location: City of Melbourne

Inception: 1984

Architects: Roy Grounds

Architectural style: structuralism

Part of: Melbourne Arts Precinct

Address: 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3004

Phone: +61392818000

Website: https://artscentremelbourne.com.au

GPS coordinates: -37.82028,144.96833

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:23