0/5

GTV9 studios gets Heritage listing

The building that is home to GTV9 studios has been given a Heritage classification, in recognition of its vast cultural and economic significance.

GTV9 Studios were today recognised by the Heritage Council of Victoria for its vast history, including the 50+ years of television that have been produced within its walls.

The original 1908 building, has been home to the Wertheim Piano Factory, Heinz Soups (1935) and Channel Nine (1955). Studio 9 has been used for productions including In Melbourne Tonight, The Don Lane Show, New Faces, Hey Hey its Saturday, Sale of the Century, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, The Footy Show and Temptation.

“This property is very interesting for the way it demonstrates changes in Victoria’s social and economic history in the 20th Century,” said Kristal Buckley of the Heritage Council.

A heritage overlay already existed for the original structures of the Wertheim Piano Factory, preventing work to the building’s exterior without council approval.

A nomination for listing with Heritage Victoria had been sitting idle since 1986 but was pursued by the City of Yarra when the site was put on the property market. Nine later withdrew its intent to sell for both Melbourne and Sydney properties for the time being.

Amen to that!

2 Responses

  1. Hey, this is fantastic news!

    Heritage listing cultural sites makes so much more sense than just listing something because it’s old. There’s significance to this property that is owned by all Victorians rather than just the few owners of an old building here and there.

    That said, effort needs to be made to ensure that we don’t just let the building rot.

    If Channel Nine decide to sell it, I hope Heritage Victoria allow the new owners to continue to (sensitively and respecfully) develop the site rather than insisting it be preserved in its current state.

Leave a Reply