Multiplex has been appointed to deliver the third stage of the Victorian Trades Hall Living Heritage Project — an initiative by the Trades Hall & Literary Institute to preserve the world’s oldest continually active trade union building.
The project is supported by the Victorian government and represents a significant commitment to heritage, with a $10 million investment from the State of Victoria’s Victorian Trades Hall Conservation Grant 2023-25 program.
The appointment follows Multiplex’s completion of Stage Two in 2021, which saw comprehensive refurbishment of the hall’s structure, roofing, and interiors.
Stage Three, now underway, is being led by architects and heritage consultants Lovell Chen.
Multiplex is restoring the Trades Hall’s Victoria Street Wing and the original section constructed in 1874, located at the corner of Victoria and Lygon streets in Carlton.
As part of the current works, Multiplex will unveil additional historic honour boards — originally painted circa 1906 by artists Pierce and Land, and E. Turnbull, and extended in 1910-1911 by W. Dunstan — on the west and south walls of the Victoria Street ground-level foyer.
These boards, which were painted over during the 20th century, will be revealed in partnership with specialist consultants International Conservation Services.
Other major elements of Stage Three include:
- Strengthening the building’s structure to accommodate seismic loads.
- Upgrading fire systems and exit lighting.
- Restoring bathrooms, completing additional painting and finishing works throughout the Victoria Street Wing.
“We’re proud to continue the restoration of this iconic building, which represents a significant piece of Australian history and contemporary culture,” said Ross Snowball, Multiplex Regional Managing Director – Victoria and South Australia.
“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 facades of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Building in Melbourne,” he said.
The revitalised Trades Hall — scheduled for completion by the end of September — will be brought to life with immersive art, music, and theatre during the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
The Victorian Trades Hall, constructed between 1874 and 1925, is closely linked to the historical Eight-Hour Day Movement.
In 1856, Melbourne stonemasons launched a city-wide strike that helped secure one of the world’s first eight-hour workdays, marking the building as a key site in labour history.
Recognising its importance, it was added to Australia’s National Heritage List in 2023 and is now being considered for UNESCO World Heritage listing.
