The Arts Centre is a complex of theatres and concert halls in the Southgate precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, designed by architect Roy Grounds.

There are several distinct buildings at the Arts Centre: the Hamer Hall (which seats 2700) is used for symphony concerts; and the State Theatre (which seats 2085) and is used for opera performances. Companies performing opera in the State Theatre include Opera Australia and Melbourne City Opera. In the future, it is anticipated the Victorian Opera, created in November 2005, will be making an appearance also.

The Arts Centre is located by the Yarra River and St Kilda Road, the city's main thoroughfare. The Centre is unusual in that its theatres and concert halls are built underground. The concert hall, situated closest to the river, was initially planned to be almost entirely underground, thus providing a huge open vista between the theatre spire, the river and Flinders Street Station. However, construction problems with the foundations meant the structure had to be raised to three storeys above ground. Similarly, budget constraints meant that Grounds' design for a copper-clad spire were shelved, and a shortened un-clad design was substituted. This was eventually replaced with the current 'full-height' un-clad spire.

The complex retains landmark status due to its massive steel spire and its wrap-around base. Built in 1996 at a height of 163m and is illuminated with roughly 6,600 metres (21,653 feet) of optic fibre tubing, 150 metres (492 feet) of neon tubing on the mast and 14,000 incandescent lamps on the spire's skirt. The metal webbing of the spire is influenced by the billowing of a ballerina's tutu and the Eiffel Tower.

The wider arts district includes the adjacent National Gallery of Victoria International (also designed by Grounds), the Victorian College of the Arts, and the nearby Sidney Myer Music Bowl

[Source: Wikipedia]

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