St Kilda Victoria AUS

Client: Citta Group
Construction Value: $300M

After an international tender process the BBC/Citta proposal, designed by ARM, was announced as the successful bidder for the redevelopment of the St Kilda Triangle Site. The new Triangle, including the Palais Theatre, would be transformed into a dynamic entertainment precinct.

The St Kilda Triangle was envisioned as a pleasure garden by the sea featuring a mix of entertainment, culture and new public event spaces. The landscape design by Taylor Cullity Lethlean integrated the existing park elements of palms and lawn.

At the heart of the Triangle, a $20m refurbishment was planned for the once grand heritage-listed Palais Theatre, enabling live music, film and a great variety of other productions. The refurbishment met exacting standards set by Heritage Victoria, while improving access, patron amenities and air conditioning. The back stage facilities would be fully upgraded and a recording studio added.

The Triangle scheme also included great new event spaces. In ARM’s design grassy slopes cover much of the Triangle at the Upper Esplanade level, offering many places to enjoy the bay vistas with a picnic or book. Below the slopes would be a new public square for people to gather, sheltered from the sea breezes. The Upper Esplanade would be linked to the beach by the Catani Steps, a wide flowing staircase that doubles as a big event amphitheatre.

The City of Port Phillip abandoned the project in late 2009.