Multiplex Continues Restoration Efforts at Historic Victorian Trades Hall
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Multiplex has been reappointed to oversee Stage Three of the Victorian Trades Hall Living Heritage Project, a comprehensive initiative led by the Trades Hall & Literary Institute to safeguard the world's oldest continuously active trade union edifice.
Building upon the successful completion of Stage Two in 2021, which encompassed structural enhancements, roofing improvements, and interior renovations, Stage Three is progressing under a $10 million allocation through the Victorian Government's Victorian Trades Hall Conservation Grant 2023–25 programme.
Situated at the intersection of Victoria and Lygon streets in Carlton, the restoration of the hall's Victoria Street Wing is helmed by heritage architects Lovell Chen, with Multiplex spearheading the preservation of the original section erected in 1874.
In the current phase of work, Multiplex intends to reveal additional honour boards along the west and south walls of the Victoria Street ground-level foyer. Crafted circa 1906 by artists Pierce and Land, alongside E. Turnbull, these boards underwent subsequent extensions by W. Dunstan between 1910 and 1911, only to be concealed by layers of paint in the 20th century. Through collaboration with International Conservation Services, the overpainting will be removed, exposing the original artworks.
Furthermore, Multiplex plans to fortify the building's structure to comply with seismic standards, upgrade fire systems and exit lighting, refurbish bathrooms, and carry out additional finishing and painting tasks throughout the wing.
Ross Snowball, Regional Managing Director for Victoria and South Australia at Multiplex, expressed pride in the restoration project: "We’re proud to continue the restoration of this iconic building, which represents a significant piece of Australian history and contemporary culture. 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."
Anticipated for completion by the conclusion of September, the rejuvenated Trades Hall will serve as a venue for immersive art, music, and theatre events during the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Erected between 1874 and 1925, the edifice holds deep connections to the Eight Hour Day Movement, which originated in 1856 when Melbourne stonemasons initiated a city-wide strike that led to the establishment of one of the world's earliest eight-hour workdays.
In 2023, the hall was inscribed on Australia's National Heritage List and is presently under review for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Source: Inside Construction
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