Horticultural Hall

Located on Victoria Street, across the road from the Victorian Trades Hall building, Horticultural Hall first opened its doors in 1873 as a meeting place for the Victorian Horticultural Society. The property was used for meetings, shows, competitions, a library, and over the course of the 20th century was leased out to an eclectic mix of tenants including the Italian anti-Fascist Matteotti Club, trade unions and the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. The site features the 19th-century hall, offices, gardens, auxiliary buildings, and a car park.

Working Heritage began managing Horticultural Hall in 2000 and has since carried out extensive conservation works on both the hall and attached offices – restoring the interiors and improving the building’s accessibility, functionality and environmental performance while conserving its cultural significance.

The property is currently leased to Victorian Opera, who use the hall as a rehearsal space and the remainder of the building for their administrative offices.

The property is generally closed to the public but keep an eye on Victorianfor special events and open days.

Working Heritage acknowledges that the Horticultural Hall sits on the land traditionally owned by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples.