Open House Melbourne 2019

Overview

This July sees the return of another packed program from Open House Melbourne. If you're not familiar with the annual two-day event, it opens up some of the cities most iconic buildings, new structures and urban environments for the public to explore and appreciate. And with 200 buildings included in this year's program — and 73 of these appearing on the program on the first time — you're set to be busy on the weekend of July 27–28.

A highlight of the weekend will be the chance to check out the long-awaited refurbishment of RMIT's Capitol Theatre. After closing in 2014 for much needed renovations, the much-loved building now showcases its recently renovated Lounge, Salon, Foyer and Theatre. Throughout the weekend, it will be open for both guided and self-guided tours between 10am and 4pm.

After that, you can hop over to the new Ian Potter Southbank Centre, which is the new home of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music — don't miss seeing the six-metre-wide oculus designed by John Wardel Architects. Or you can take a tour of Melbourne's only CBD gin distillery Little Lon, take a proper look at the revamped Espy or walk through Fitzroy's Cairo Flats.

If you're invested in infrastructure, step behind the construction fence with tours of the West Gate Tunnel Project or the new Parkville Station that's being built as part of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. Plus, with the City of Hobsons Bay joining in this year, the program will take design enthusiasts over to Williamstown, Spotswood, Newport and Altona. 

A new keynote program on Urban Tactility will include a public installation in the Immigration Museum courtyard, challenging participants to experience how we create more accommodating cities for the blind and visually impaired.  

While most of the buildings will be open for free self-guided tours, some of the more popular spots will require you to buy a tickets for five bucks in advance. These will go on sale at 8.30am on Friday, July 12.

Image: Tatjana Pitt.