That's Built · Building report

Forum Theatre

150-162 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Generated 8 November 2026
Commercial · Entertainment/Recreation - Indoor

12 mheight

6floors

1929completed

1businesses

12permits

Development milestones

Completed

1929

Forum Theatre completed: 6 floors

Building team

Architect: Bohringer, Taylor & Johnson
Developer: Union Theatres
Architect: John Eberson
Architect: Jackson Architecture
Owner: Staged Developments Australia
Owner: Marriner Group
Owner: David Marriner

Planning & subdivision

Zone: CCZ1
Overlays: DDO1, DDO2, DDO2-A5, HO505, HO653, PO1
Strata plan: TP814523 · 1 lots
Scores: 🚆 9 · ☕ 7 · 🌳 7 · ✨ 8

Timeline

20251 building permit · about $2.2m of new works
Largest: Dismantling and reconstruction works to existing theatre facade

6 Sep 2017Forum Theatre reopens after major overhaul
Time Out reported that the Marriner Group closed the Forum for a major overhaul the previous year, and that the refurbishment was completed ahead of the Melbourne Festival.

20171 building permit
Largest: Stage 4 - All remaining building works (basement works & main auditorium)

3 Oct 2016Supreme Court dismisses developers' appeal over Forum tower permit
The Melburnian reported that the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the developers of the Forum Theatre site, upholding VCAT's finding that the City of Melbourne was the responsible authority and not the Minister for Planning.

20163 building permits · about $7.0m of new works
Largest: Stage 2: Internal demolition, lift shaft excavation, underpinning & temporary builder’s works

29 Apr 2015VCAT and minister permit dispute over Forum neighbouring tower
The Melburnian (formerly CBD News) reported that VCAT found the permit for the proposed 32-storey tower on the adjoining site, issued by the former planning minister to a David Marriner company, covered two projects, so the City of Melbourne was the responsible authority. The article reports objections by the City of Melbourne and local objectors.

25 Sep 2014City of Melbourne approves $100 million Forum Theatre redevelopment
The Urban Developer reported that the City of Melbourne gave planning approval for a $100 million redevelopment of the Forum Theatre including a 32-storey hotel, developed by the Marriner family.

17 Mar 2014Forum Hotel planning application for 150-162 Flinders Street
A planning application was made for a hotel development on the Forum site, with the hotel's revenue intended to fund restoration of the theatre. The article describes a tower rising 107m above Russell Street with 220 rooms across 17 floors, designed by Bates Smart.

2012Council census records it as entertainment/recreation - indoor, 6 floors
Name recorded: Forum Theatre

2009Council census records it as entertainment/recreation - indoor, 6 floors
Name recorded: FORUM THEATRE

20051 building permit · about $50k of new works
Largest: Disabled stair lifter installation - Russell Street Stairs

2002First council census entry: performances, conferences, ceremonies, 6 floors

20011 building permit
Largest: stage 2 Forum theatre refurbishment :alts to lower 2 theatre ;-construction of new subfloor framing ;support of lighting trusses & new lif

19981 building permit · about $500 of new works
Largest: Removal of fire hydrant lay flat fire hoses on all floors

19961 building permit
Largest: alts to Forum Theatre; theatre, shop & office;

19951 building permit · about $1.6m of new works
Largest: stage 1 Forum theatre refurbishment :construction of dressing rooms & works necessary to allow occupation of upper theatre

1929Forum Theatre completed: 6 floors
Derived from City of Melbourne building census (CLUE) 2024

23 Feb 1929State Theatre opens on Flinders Street
The State Theatre, later the Forum, opened on 23 February 1929, and Cinema Treasures says it was then the largest theatre in the Southern Hemisphere. Wikipedia says it opened three weeks ahead of the Regent Theatre after about seven months of construction.

Building permits and certificates (10)

Each cost is the estimate on that record. Stages of a project often repeat its full value, so these don't add up to what was spent.

09 May 2025	Dismantling and reconstruction works to existing theatre facade	$2.2m
03 Mar 2017	Stage 4 - All remaining building works (basement works & main auditorium)	$6.2m
20 July 2016	Stage 3 - New roof platform & tower works	$500k
17 June 2016	Stage 2: Internal demolition, lift shaft excavation, underpinning & temporary builder’s works	$850k
18 Mar 2016	Proposed alterations to existing building, new amenities & refurbishment of existing amenities	$500k
19 Aug 2005	Disabled stair lifter installation - Russell Street Stairs	$50k
14 Mar 2001	stage 2 Forum theatre refurbishment :alts to lower 2 theatre ;-construction of new subfloor framing ;support of lighting trusses & new lifting beam in fly tower	$116k
07 Apr 1998	Removal of fire hydrant lay flat fire hoses on all floors	$500
01 July 1996	alts to Forum Theatre; theatre, shop & office;	$1.6m
27 Oct 1995	stage 1 Forum theatre refurbishment :construction of dressing rooms & works necessary to allow occupation of upper theatre	$100k

Questions and answers

Is Forum Theatre residential or commercial?
Forum Theatre is a commercial building. The City of Melbourne lists its main use as entertainment/recreation - indoor.

When was Forum Theatre built?
Forum Theatre was completed in 1929.

How many floors does Forum Theatre have?
Forum Theatre has 6 floors above ground.

What businesses are in Forum Theatre?
The latest council census counted 1 business in Forum Theatre.

Is there office or retail space for lease in Forum Theatre?
See the commercial listings on this page, or search this address on realcommercial.com.au and commercialrealestate.com.au.

Who designed and built Forum Theatre?
Union Theatres developed Forum Theatre and John Eberson designed it. The building team section has the sources.

How tall is Forum Theatre?
About 12 metres, measured from the City of Melbourne's 3D building model. It's number 983 of 1596 buildings in Melbourne by height.

What public transport is near Forum Theatre?
Town Hall Railway Station is the nearest train station, about 3 minutes' walk. The nearest tram stop is Russell St/Flinders St #6, about 1 minute's walk.

What is the planning zone for Forum Theatre?
The site is in the Capital City Zone - Schedule 1 (CCZ1). It's also under a Heritage Overlay (HO505).

Does Forum Theatre have an owners corporation?
Plan of subdivision TP814523 has 1 lot.

Has any work been done on Forum Theatre recently?
The City of Melbourne has issued 12 building permits for Forum Theatre since 1995. The most recent was in May 2025.

Sources: City of Melbourne building permits (CC BY 4.0); CLUE building information (CC BY 4.0); CLUE business establishments (CC BY 4.0); Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) (Open G-NAF EULA (CC BY 4.0 based)). General information from public records, not legal, financial or building advice.