Description

Architect John Beswicke’s spectacular Second Empire-style town hall was completed in 1889, and opened with a Grand Ball. Built in a Renaissance style, it was a two storey brick and stucco building with a 100-foot (30.48-metre) tower. It was home to municipal offices, post office, fire station, police station and courthouse.

Over time the building has evolved with the community, with additions such as the clock tower, balcony, marble stairs, entrance foyer and stunning art-deco chandeliers added to make it one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings.

In 2013 the town hall was reimagined and redeveloped into the Hawthorn Arts Centre comprising a gallery, performance spaces, Boroondara’s 360 Youth Services, function rooms and artist studios. It is a beautiful example of perfectly blended 19th- and 20th-century architecture.

Come and see for yourself how this sympathetic and innovative redevelopment has created a stunning venue for the delivery of arts and youth programs for the local community.

What's On

Join a building tour led by heritage experts, an architect talk with the team at Atelier Wagner about their work to maintain and preserve the Hawthorn Arts Centre or visit one of our special exhibitions open across the weekend.

'The Memory Palace' in the Town Hall Gallery showcases highlights from Cyrus Tang's multidisciplinary art practice. Over the past 20 years Tang has examined sentiments of nostalgia within memory and fantasy, exploring ruins and decay through human bodies, of houses and of cities, while referencing current environmental and man-made catastrophes. Join a curator-led tour to hear direction from the artist and gain a deeper understanding of the works on display.

'Mayblooms and Cherry Bobs' exhibits recordings covering the pivotal role of the Hawthorn Town Hall in some of the Hawthorn's community most significant milestones, including World War I and II, the Spanish Flu pandemic and the many events and dances which make up the Hawthorn Arts Centre's exciting and colourful history.

Children's Activities

- Explore and Create Activity - fun arts-based activity at the Hawthorn Arts Centre exploring the themes of the current exhibition.
- Scavenger Hunt for children to participate in the tour