The plans have garnered uproar from the community, with a petition started to protect the building from destruction.
“People love St Kilda for its history, character, community and culture,” reads the change.org petition started by local resident Caro Thurling. “It attracts thousands of visitors a year as a top destination to experience in Melbourne. In recent years, St Kilda has been losing its character to demolition and the development of low quality, high mass apartment dwellings.”
“The plans and designs for proposed development are at best hideous. It will be an eyesore and significantly devalue the streetscape experience and erase the identity of the local precinct.”
The City of Port Phillip has received a planning application, stating the development “provides a juxtaposition to the imposing St Kilda Town Hall set within landscaped grounds,” as reported by St Kilda News.
The GH is widely considered one of Melbourne’s premier gay destinations, home to acclaimed cabaret and drag shows. In the ’80s and ’90s, the venue was home to live music and served as a cornerstone of the area’s burgeoning music community of the time.
Image via The GH.
