Melbourne Welcomes $17 Million Live Music Haven in Historic Bluestone Warehouse

In a major boost for the city's vibrant music scene, a heritage-listed bluestone warehouse in Brunswick is set to undergo a transformation into a state-of-the-art live music venue.

Plans for the ambitious project, which garnered approval from the Merri-bek City Council last week, promise to breathe new life into the former Melville Grain Stores site at 11-17 Colebrook Street.

The $17 million fit-out will showcase a distinctive 'acoustic shell' design reminiscent of the acclaimed Melbourne Recital Centre.

The innovative approach aims to deliver an unparalleled concert experience while preserving and restoring the original charm of the historic building.

The heart of this musical sanctuary will be a 500-patron, tiered auditorium designed to cater to diverse music genres. With two bars and a commercial kitchen also in the works, the venue is poised to become one of Melbourne's premier live music destinations. Located in the heart of Brunswick, just a short distance from Moreland Station on the Upfield train line and the number 19 tram on Sydney Road, the bluestone warehouse is part of a larger industrial zone. This strategic location ensures easy accessibility for music enthusiasts from across the city.

Merri-bek City Council Mayor Adam Pulford expressed his excitement about the upcoming addition to Brunswick's cultural landscape: "Brunswick is home to such a creative community, with many of our residents working in the arts and music.

This new live music venue will not only provide a stage for our local performers, it will also bring new, different shows to our city," Mayor Pulford commented.

In an effort to address potential noise concerns, the council has imposed limits on patron numbers and operating hours, deviating from the figures initially proposed in the planning application, with Pulford adding: “Council’s changes to the original permit application will help reduce the impact of the new venue on local residents while supporting our thriving creative scene to continue to flourish, which is part of what makes our city such a great place.”

Additionally, stringent acoustic treatment measures have been mandated to ensure compliance with state-wide Environment Protection Authority (EPA) standards.

Head to the Merri-Bek City Council website for the latest info.