Melbourne Recital Centre is converting a hidden room at the top of its Southbank building into a brand new venue.
Construction has kicked off on The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon, an intimate 80 to 100-seat performance space that will sit at the very top of the architecturally striking building designed by ARM Architecture. The level has effectively been used as back-of-house since Melbourne Recital Centre opened in 2009, despite boasting some of the best uninterrupted sightlines across Melbourne’s skyline. The Beacon will become the Centre’s third room, joining the 1,000-seat Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and the 140-seat Primrose Potter Salon.
The project completes a vision that’s been nearly two decades in the making. It’s backed by a $2 million investment split evenly between the Victorian government and philanthropists Peter McMullin AM and Ruth McMullin, first announced in 2024. The development forms part of the broader transformation of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct.
The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon
- Where: Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank
- When: Opening mid-2026
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Where Elisabeth Murdoch Hall and the Primrose Potter Salon are purpose-built for contemplative, deep-listening experiences, The Beacon is being positioned as something altogether different. Programming will lean into cabaret, musical theatre, jazz and First Nations storytelling, alongside curated cultural events and community programming. The venue will also be available for premium private hire, covering everything from corporate functions to receptions and celebrations.
The flexible space will offer sweeping views across the city, with a layout that puts performers and audiences side by side rather than separated by a traditional stage divide. MRC already hosts more than 500 concerts and events a year across its two existing venues, and the addition of a third opens up room for genres and formats that suit a looser, more social atmosphere.
Construction is expected to finish in the coming months, with an official opening planned for mid-2026.
For more information, head here.
