The Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nations.

Conservation decision-making for the ongoing Royal Exhibition Building (REB) programme is an enormous challenge: we are working on a kind of evolutionary conservation. The latest project — to reinstate the 360-degree roof Promenade Deck and undertake conservation works to the South Facade and Drum dome — reflects this. In the last 35 years, as a heritage place the REB has progressed from state registration to national listing to UNESCO World Heritage status. Each represents differing approaches to conservation. The primary heritage focus was conservation of the fabric as constructed in 1880 or as had evolved by 1900, which includes reinstatement of the public viewing decks and lift access. This is one of the finest and largest nineteenth century buildings in Australia, and the only international survivor of a Great Hall from a major industrial exhibition of the period.