Multiplex has been reappointed to deliver Stage Three of the Victorian Trades Hall Living Heritage Project – a long-term initiative by the Trades Hall & Literary Institute to preserve the world’s oldest continually-active trade union building.
This follows Multiplex’s completion of Stage Two in 2021, which involved structural, roofing and interior refurbishments. Stage Three is being delivered under a $10 million investment through the Victorian Government’s Victorian Trades Hall Conservation Grant 2023–25 program.
The hall is located at the corner of Victoria and Lygon streets in Carlton. Stage Three is being led by heritage architects Lovell Chen, with Multiplex restoring the Victoria Street Wing, including the original part of the building constructed in 1874.
As part of the current works, Multiplex will unveil additional honour boards along the west and south walls of the Victoria Street ground-level foyer. Painted around 1906 by artists Pierce and Land, and E. Turnbull, the boards were later extended by W. Dunstan between 1910 and 1911, then painted over during the 20th century. The overpainting will be removed, revealing the original artworks in partnership with International Conservation Services.
Multiplex will also strengthen the building’s structure to meet seismic requirements, upgrade fire systems and exit lighting, restore bathrooms, and complete additional finish and paint works throughout the wing.
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“We’re proud to continue the restoration of this iconic building, which represents a significant piece of Australian history and contemporary culture,” said Ross Snowball, regional managing director for Victoria and South Australia at Multiplex.
“The Victorian Trades Hall reflects our ability to deliver innovative solutions to complex projects of varying scale, combining our technical skills and problem-solving. It also speaks to our experience in heritage projects, having refurbished 472 Bourke Street (Equity Chambers), Medina Grand (formerly Adelaide Treasury), as well as the heritage façades of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Building in Melbourne.”
Scheduled for completion by the end of September, the revitalised Trades Hall will host immersive art, music and theatre during the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Constructed between 1874 and 1925, the building has deep ties to the Eight Hour Day Movement, which began in 1856 when Melbourne stonemasons led a city-wide strike to secure one of the world’s first eight-hour workdays.
The hall was added to Australia’s National Heritage List in 2023 and is currently under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage listing.
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