The Victorian Trades Hall is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nations

The focus of the ongoing conservation, refurbishment and adaptation project at Melbourne’s Trades Hall is primarily on bringing the community into the building and helping make it relevant to the traditional users and community at large. It is one of the world’s oldest trade union buildings, and is closely associated with events important to the whole country.

The complex developed in ten stages, beginning in 1874, and is still very much the union movement’s home. It continues to host numerous associated organisations and events, but its evolved nature had made its functional viability a challenge.

With the support of a grant from the government’s Living Heritage Program, works to the key public spaces, portico and roof were completed. The splendid decorative scheme of the first Council Chamber has been reconstructed, and the present meeting room (Solidarity Hall) returned to its original orientation and classical debating chamber proportions. Stage 2 has transformed working spaces in the building so that they can operate as contemporary offices.

Victorian Architecture Award 2020 : Heritage – conservation

Property Council of Australia Innovation & Excellence Awards 2022 : Best Heritage Development (Stages 1+ 2)