St Kilda’s George Cinema is Being Revived Into a New Live Arts Hub

Finally! After all the doom and gloom this past week of the Astor closing its doors and the Palais slowly falling apart, we finally have some good news out of St Kilda. The former George Cinemas are set to be renovated into a live performance hub this year with construction starting as soon as next Monday. Specialising in cabaret and music, the venue will be split into two performance spaces seating 500 and 250 people.

While this is obviously another loss for cinema lovers, it's a great win for those that don't want to see another Melbourne icon torn down and transformed into apartment units.

Closed from its original form in 2010, the George Cinemas have transformed a great deal over the last few years. In 2011, it enjoyed a very brief moment as Cinema Aurora. Then in 2013, it gained a great deal of popularity as the George Revival Cinemas. But bigger plans were in the works to build apartments on the lot. New owners Pace Development Group were planning an $11 million redevelopment of the space set for 2016. Now, the property has changed hands and it's been confirmed that those plans are dead.

The new owner of the space is film and theatre producer Aleksander Vass. Returning to the site of his first ever show, Vass shows a commitment to the local arts scene. "I am determined to provide a place where high quality works can be staged, in a supportive, welcoming environment," he told The Age.

All in all, it's a rare win for the little guys. And, while it may not restore the venue to its former film buff glory, cinephiles should take some solace: both performance spaces will be fully set up for film too.

Via The Age and Herald Sun.