Hamer Hall
Interior from back of the stage
Map
Former namesMelbourne Concert Hall
General information
TypeConcert Hall
LocationSouthbank, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates37°49′13″S 144°58′6″E / 37.82028°S 144.96833°E / -37.82028; 144.96833
Construction started1973; 51 years ago (1973)
Completed1982; 42 years ago (1982)
OwnerVictorian Arts Centre Trust
Design and construction
Architect(s)Roy Grounds and Company
Other designersJohn Truscott
Main contractorBaulderstone
Other information
Seating capacity2,466
Website
Arts Centre Melbourne

Hamer Hall (formerly the Melbourne Concert Hall) is a 2,466 seat concert hall, the largest indoor venue at Arts Centre Melbourne, used for orchestra and contemporary music performances. It was designed by Roy Grounds as part of the Cultural Centre that comprised the National Gallery of Victoria and the Arts Centre Melbourne.[1][2] It was opened as the "Melbourne Concert Hall" in 1982 (the Theatres Building opened in 1984) and was renamed Hamer Hall in honour of Rupert Hamer (the 39th Premier of Victoria) shortly after his death in 2004.[3]

2010 redevelopment

Construction on the A$136 million inside–out redevelopment of Hamer Hall was due to begin in 2010.[4] The venue's redevelopment was the first stage of the Southbank Cultural Precinct Redevelopment and was delivered through an alliance between Arts Victoria, Major Projects Victoria, the Arts Centre, Ashton Raggatt McDougall and Baulderstone. The redevelopment included a new outlook to the city and new connections to central Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the Yarra River, new and expanded foyer spaces, improved amenities, new stairs, improved disability access, escalators and lifts as well as improved acoustics, new auditorium seating and staging systems.[5]

The Hall was re-opened on 26 July 2012 with a Hamer Hall Opening Concert, featuring Caroline O’Connor,[6] k.d. lang, Eddie Perfect and Lior with live orchestra. The project later won the AIA Melbourne Prize for the architects Ashton Raggatt McDougall for its overall contribution to the civic life of Melbourne.

Awards and nominations

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006. The award for Best Venue was introduced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
Music Victoria Awards of 2018 Hamer Hall, Melbourne Best Venue (Over 500 Capacity) Nominated [7][8]
Music Victoria Awards of 2019 Hamer Hall, Melbourne Best Venue (Over 500 Capacity) Nominated
Music Victoria Awards of 2020 Hamer Hall, Melbourne Best Venue (Over 500 Capacity) Nominated
2021 Music Victoria Awards Hamer Hall, Melbourne Best Venue (Over 500 Capacity) Nominated [9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Our history | Arts Centre Melbourne". www.artscentremelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ Staff writer (17 November 2021). "From the Archives, 1963: A Concert Hall for Melbourne's Arts Centre". The Age. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  3. ^ Gill, Raymond (13 July 2012). "It's showtime at Hamer Hall". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  4. ^ "New Meyer Sound CAL Anchors Voice Announcement System at Melbourne's Hamer Hall". Meyer Sound. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  5. ^ Arts Centre Melbourne website.
  6. ^ (26 July 2012). Caroline O’Connor – Official Opening, Hamer Hall, Melbourne, YouTube. (Melbourne, Australia)
  7. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
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