“City Hall” it proclaims. That’s what the portico of the St Kilda Town Hall declares. But most people simply call it the St Kilda Town Hall. We’re standing before a building that has been the municipal and social heart of St Kilda for over 120 years.
The St Kilda Town Hall has a rich history. It replaced an earlier building from 1859. The original site was chosen in 1887. Architect William Pitt won a competition in 1888 with his Second Empire design. The St Kilda Town Hall first opened in 1890. But it was not complete. Only the hall and wings were built. The brick walls were bare. There was no portico or tower. Instead, a large pipe organ was installed in 1892. The 1890s depression halted further work for many years.
In 1925, the classical portico was finally added. It was similar to Pitt’s design but not exactly the same. At the same time, the elaborate internal stair-hall was constructed. But the building’s brick walls remained bare until 1957. They were then stuccoed and painted white. The design was simple without any fancy details. An Art Deco Council Chamber was added in 1939. A modernist addition followed on the Carlisle Street side in 1971.
Tragedy struck in the early hours of April 7, 1991. A fire gutted the hall. The internal decoration and the organ were lost. Many works of art were destroyed or severely damaged. About 30 fire trucks rushed to the scene. Around 100 firefighters battled the blaze. Arson was suspected.
The office part of the building was soon repaired. ARM Architecture restored the hall. They built a new entry on the Carlisle Street side. These works were completed in 1994. The hall was not fully restored. A new ceiling was created. The hall was divided in two. Some plasterwork was restored. Other parts were left damaged. The restoration won two Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards in 1995. A further expansion took place in the 2000s. It was finished in February 2008. The dividing glass wall was removed. The hall was opened up again.
The St Kilda Town Hall has seen many social events. Unemployed people picked up food during the Great Depression in the 1930s. A thousand women had morning tea with the Queen Mother in 1958. Gough Whitlam held one of his “It’s Time” rallies here in 1972. Ballroom dancing was popular here for decades. The hall hosted fencing events for the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Today the St Kilda Town Hall sits in spacious surrounds. Sweeping lawns and a circular driveway lead to the grand staircase. It remains a popular venue. The main hall and the Council Chamber can be booked for events. In 2015, the hall hosted the St Kilda Short Film Festival. The St Kilda Town Hall is more than just a building. It is a place of memories and community. It’s a landmark that has witnessed the changing face of St Kilda. Its walls could tell countless stories of celebrations. They would tell stories of struggles and triumphs.