Big Changes Coming Ahead Of New Era For St Kilda's Iconic Palais Theatre

It was just over a month ago that Live Nation was announced as the new leaseholder and operator of St Kilda's iconic Palais Theatre, but plans are already underway ahead of the US entertainment company's official appointment in 2017. 

Live Nation will commence its 30 year lease of the Palais next April, pending finalisation of the works program, and the company has just appointed a general manager for the venue and has also started taking tentative bookings and enquiries.

Under the new arrangement, Port Phillip Council, who selected Live Nation as the leaseholder over Sydney-based Playbill Venue Management, can book the Palais for community purposes eight days a year at a cost of $1. 

Three of the authorised community events have already been locked in for next year, with Mayor Bernadene Voss confirming that the Palais will host the Sacred Heart Mission Dine with Heart Gala Dinner, the Sacred Heart Mission Heart Of St Kilda concert and the St Kilda Film Festival opening night. 

"The Sacred Heart Mission does a tremendous job in assisting vulnerable people who are homeless or living in poverty to find shelter, food, care and support," Voss said.

"Confirming Sacred Heart Mission’s access to the Palais means organisers can have certainty in planning for these 2017 fund-raisers which do so much to help those in need."

Meanwhile, the current works program already underway at the Palais will continue to be carried out, with the Council approving up to $1.1 million of additional funding for the works that includes window repairs, front facade lighting upgrades and hydraulic repairs to sewers. 

Voss confirmed that several repairs and upgrades were identified during site inspections.

"It makes sense to complete them now as part of the current works program instead of delaying them for a few years as that means we could achieve savings of up to 40%."