This Just In: The Revolver Building Is for Sale, with Bids of $15 Million or More Landing This Notorious Nightlife Icon
Woven into the cultural fabric of Melbourne, grime and all, the infamous nightclub and its surrounding commercial complex are seeking a new owner.
Just about everyone has a Revolver story to tell. Can you really say you've lived in Melbourne without one? Over the years, world-class artists from Snoop Dogg to Fred Again have nearly lifted the roof off Revs, with revellers carving things up in front of the cage or sinking into the slightly suspect couches until sunrise has come and gone. Now the iconic Chapel Street building that holds those memories is up for sale, with this cornerstone of Melbourne's cultural fabric going under the hammer in November.
Of course, Revolver Upstairs and its surprisingly good Thai restaurant, Colonel Tan's, are the best-known tenants, occupying about a quarter of the total property. Yet more than 30 commercial businesses operate from the address, including creative studios, offices, coworking spaces, meeting and event venues, retail stores and a coffee bar. Spanning 1287 square metres, the early word is that this vast property could fetch upwards of $15 million.
Built in 1914, the so-called Revolver Building began its life as a large music venue in the mid-90s when Thai pop star Tan Punturaumporn bought the property for $770,000. At first, Punturaumporn opened Revolver Music Gallery, a record store, on the lower floor, before Revolver Rehearsal Studios took over the space in the back. However, after teaming up with local nightclub buff and restaurateur Camillo Ippoliti, Revolver Upstairs was born.
These days, Tan has stepped back from running the show — though his legacy lives on through Colonel Tan's — with his return to Thailand prompting the building's sale. "The Revolver brand carries its own unmistakable cache and preserving its cultural and community value is central to this sales process. The vendors are looking for a new custodian who understands this cultural value and have chosen to auction the property to highlight its energy and status as a functional work of art," says long-time building manager Kurt Falkenstein.
Interest in the southside landmark is expected to be strong, with the nightclub still holding a rare 24-hour liquor license. Set on a prime stretch of Chapel Street real estate, the Revolver Buildings offer the ideal combination of character, heritage and commercial potential. Meanwhile, the forthcoming auction includes the large loft above the nightclub, featuring nine-metre ceilings and sweeping views over the city and surrounds. If you're keen to secure the joint for yourself, Revs is up for public sale at 4.30pm on Friday, November 14.
"The Revolver Buildings have been a cultural touchstone for Melbourne's nightlife and creative community for decades," says Sean Cussell, Principal at Christie's International Real Estate Victoria. "Opportunities to acquire a trophy property of this stature, with both strong income and extraordinary legacy, are exceptionally rare."
The Revolver Buildings go up for public sale at 4.30pm on Friday, November 14. Head to the website for more information.
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