Melbourne’s Palace Theatre to close its doors after owners refuse to renew lease

Melbourne’s Palace Theatre to close its doors after owners refuse to renew lease
Jessie RichardsonDecember 7, 2020

The iconic Palace Theatre will cease operations in May, at the end of its lease term. The building’s owners, Jinshan Development and Construction Co, have refused to renew the lease on the venue.

The company, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, saw a swift backlash from Melbourne’s music fans last year after submitting a proposal for a $180 million hotel development that would see the site significantly altered.

The proposed 30 storey complex was rejected by the city of Melbourne, much to the relief of 1,000 protestors and 26,000 petitioners who objected to the development.

However, it seems that Jinshan’s plans to develop on the site are still underway, with operators of the Palace Theatre leaving on May 31. According to a press release from the Palace Theatre, the building is still set to house a hotel and apartment complex.

The building was first built in 1860 but destroyed by a fire in 1911. It reopened in 1912 as Brennan’s Theatre and underwent varying incarnations, including 30 years as a cinema. 

Photo courtesy of Save the Palace Theatre.

Editor's Picks