How Sydney Swans Helped Secure The Future Of Iconic Hordern Pavilion

Live music is receiving some well deserved attention in Sydney with the Hordern Pavilion receiving a massive cash injection from a joint venture between Playbill Venues and the Sydney Swans.

The PlayOn Group will invest $65 million dollars to "preserve and enhance" the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries (RHI) in Sydney's Moore Park through the creation of an outdoor entertainment precinct between the two heritage buildings.

The joint venture was successful in tender with development planned from May 2019 when Playbill Venues will also begin the revitalisation of the Hordern, securing its future as a live music venue. The Sydney Swans will repurpose the RHI as their new Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre.

Labelled a victory for Australia's live entertainment scene, Playbill Venues' managing director Michael Nebenzahl said, “We’ve seen many venues close their doors in recent years, so we’re thrilled to have this opportunity, in partnership with the Sydney Swans, to protect the future of the Hordern.

“As custodians of the Hordern for the past 18 years, Playbill Venues understand this building is an essential part of Sydney’s social and cultural fabric.

“The Hordern is an iconic venue, where fans recall their first gig with enthusiasm and Australian performers have always aspired to play.

“Playbill Venues is investing $10 million in a significant capital works upgrade to protect the Hordern and enhance its role as a premier live music and entertainment venue.

“Our vision is to create a multipurpose space with the versatility to host a wider variety of events and performance options including concerts large and small, theatre and entertainment, exhibitions, functions and launches.

“With our PlayOn Group partner, the Sydney Swans, we will activate the shared outdoor space between the two buildings – the Entertainment Plaza – creating a vibrant destination for sport, culture and entertainment.

“As part of this project, we plan to open this area to the community, creating a new gateway to the Entertainment Quarter and connecting it with Sydney’s Light Rail. It’s about balancing the needs of the community, live entertainment and high-performance sport for the benefit of all Sydneysiders."

The venue made headlines last year with a petition launched to save the venue from becoming the headquarters for the football team.