Hawthorn Town Hall, Municipal building in Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia

Hawthorn Town Hall is a government building in Melbourne featuring Second Empire architecture with a symmetrical facade, ornate windows, and decorative stone details throughout. The structure shapes the local streetscape with its classical design elements and stands out as a recognizable landmark.

John Beswicke designed the Hawthorn Town Hall in the Second Empire style, and it was built from 1888 to 1890 to house the City of Hawthorn council chambers. The City of Hawthorn was dissolved in 1994 and absorbed into the new City of Boroondara, after which the building served as a library, museum and gallery. A $17.9 million redevelopment began in April 2012, and the renamed Hawthorn Arts Centre opened in November 2013.

Today the building serves as a center for art exhibitions and performances that draw visitors wanting to explore local and contemporary works. The space reflects how the city has preserved its past while welcoming new cultural activities.

The centre sits in Hawthorn, a suburb east of central Melbourne, and is reached by train or tram along Burwood Road. It reopened in November 2013 after a $17.9 million redevelopment, so the interior layout differs from the former council rooms. Check current opening times and event listings before travelling, since access depends on the programme.

The 2012–2013 redevelopment cost $17.9 million and began in April 2012, with the renamed Hawthorn Arts Centre officially opening in November 2013. The building had earlier served as a library, museum and gallery space after the City of Hawthorn was dissolved in 1994.