Demolition Has Begun On Melbourne's The Palace Theatre

Fairfax is reporting that construction workers are stripping the interiors of beloved Melbourne venue The Palace Theatre, formerly known as the Metro.

A worker at the site has told the news outlet that the theatre "was going to be turned into apartments".

The company that purchased the location had applied to demolish the building but, according to Fairfax's The Age, the council had not yet decided on the application and was considering heritage protection for the historic music venue.

The theatre has been at the centre of controversy since it was announced the site was not to continue as a live music venue — with protestors rallying to save it.

One City Of Melbourne councillor has told The Age that there is "no permit to demolish the building." He claims enforcement officers have been sent to the site to investigate.