Clocktower Centre

Civic building in Melbourne, Australia

The Clocktower Centre, previously known as Essendon Town Hall or Moonee Ponds Town Hall, is a civic building in Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, Australia, located at 750 Mount Alexander Road, at the junction with Pascoe Vale Road.^[1] Operated by the City of Moonee Valley, it is a venue for performing arts, as well as community and corporate activities.

Building history

The building has evolved substantially over time. It was originally built as the Essendon Mechanics Institute in a Victorian architectural style, and opened in September 1880.^[2]

In February 1886, it was rechristened as the Essendon Town Hall. By 1914, the building had been extended and was reopened in July of that year. In 1930, a clock was installed in the tower and, in 1941, the building was again modified, with sections being rebuilt.^[2]

After the council chambers were moved to the new civic centre in 1973, the former town hall was converted into a community centre. It was renovated and officially opened as the Essendon Community Centre in 1976. A fire in 1978 caused substantial internal damage to the building but, by 1979, it had been repaired and reopened.^[2]

In February 2000, following substantial renovations, the building was officially reopened as the Clocktower Centre.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "Clocktower Centre". City of Moonee Valley. Retrieved 27 December 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Clocktower Centre History". The City of Moonee Valley History Online. Essendon Network for Employment and Training. Retrieved 27 December 2007.