“It was just one of those little gems that you just kept hoping would come together – a fit for purpose place of assembly,which is really hard to find anywhere in our inner suburbs. Somewhere that would be tailor-made especially for live music.”
Mr Mansfield,who lives in nearby Thornbury,said he couldn’t be happier with its location.
“It’s amazing to be smack in the heartland of Northcote,” he said.
“The north side of Melbourne has always been incredibly supportive of live music. We just want to compliment what’s already here.”
Mr Mansfield hoped the larger-sized venue would attract high calibre local and international artists and bands to the area and make it a destination for music lovers throughout the city.
“You dream of these spaces because it’s got a little bit of legacy about it,if you can do it right,” he said.
The venue’s booker,Ben Thompson,who cut his teeth at Richmond’s Corner Hotel and currently works for live music institution 170 Russell,could not yet reveal the opening line-up,but said there would be artists for every taste.
“It[will] be a great mix of local,national and international artists from all genres and walks of life,” he said.
Mr Thompson said its size would help fill a gap in Melbourne since the closure of mid-capacity venues,such asThe Palace andFestival Hall,both in the CBD.
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“It’s rare to find such a beautiful theatre space,just purpose-built for entertainment in a cultural heartland like Northcote,” he said.
“The new leaseholders have uncovered a sweeping tiered mezzanine and there are direct stage sight lines from anywhere in the theatre,it’s just perfect for live performance.”
The theatre,designed by local architect Edward Twentyman jnr is thought be the earliest surviving cinema in Victoria.
It later joined the Hoyts Cinemas chain,before its curtains closed in 1960. It was once used as a dance studio and most recently as a reception centre.
Darebin Council granted a permit for its use as a live music venue in October,despite opposition from some residents. Construction will begin early next year.
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