Council voted on 7 September to undertake a feasibility study for a new performance and live music venue at the St Kilda Triangle car park next to Palais Theatre. The study will investigate how a new performance/live music venue could be delivered within the spirit and intent of the St Kilda Triangle Masterplan. 

The study is expected to test viability of the live music venue from a commercial, spatial, community and financial standpoint and enable Council to make an informed decision about future investment.

The study is estimated to cost $378,000 results will be completed by mid-next year, at which point councillors would decide whether to progress the project or abandon it. The mayor will seek a funding commitment from the Victorian Government for this project. 

Patrick Donovan, a live music industry consultant said “Melbourne is the music capital of the world with over 650 live music venues but there is one glaring deficiency. We need a purpose-built live music venue with a 3,000-5,000 capacity. Melbourne is crying out for a new standing live music venue following the sale of Festival Hall to a religious group and the Forum is too small. The triangle is the perfect location for a new music venue. It has music history at the site with ample public transport and parking. Some people have questioned whether two music venues can exist next to each other, but the Palais offers a very different music experience offering sit down shows”. 

The proposal represents a significant departure from the St Kilda Triangle Masterplan developed by Council in 2016. Serge Thomann former Councillor and Deputy-Mayor and President of unChain Inc. said “We believe that the feasibility work that is suggested is too narrow and does not address what was approved by Council in the previous Masterplan. We also believe that what is recommended is ill conceived”. The Masterplan aimed to create a new cultural institution that could include an art gallery, live music venue or performance space, and carparking. Masterplan information is included in the Council Meeting Agenda papers for 7 September in the link https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/council-meetings/2022-meetings-and-agendas

Plans to develop the St Kilda Triangle in 2007 attracted controversy when an ambitious $400 million development proposal described by opponents as a “Chadstone by the sea” was abandoned following a massive community backlash. A proposal to locate the NGV Contemporary at the site was rejected by the Victorian Government in 2016. 

The St Kilda Triangle has a rich history of buildings and entertainment venues including Palais de Dance , Palais Pictures, The Palace Entertainment Complex, the Palais Theatre, the Stardust Lounge, and a casino.