Central Pier Docklands

Hours Open
10am - 5pm (last tour at 4:00pm)

Address
161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands

Architects
Renovation: Black Milk Interior Design, BURO, Schiavello

Year Built
1914-16, 2007 (renovation)

Building Type
Function / Retail

What is Open
Internal areas of sheds 9 and 14, all external areas

Tour Frequency
Every hour

Tram Stop
Stop D2: Central Pier and Harbour Esplanade on routes 30, 48 and City Circle Stop D1a: Harbour Esplanade and La Trobe Street on routes 86 and city circle

Description
Central Pier at Docklands is Melbourne's newest cultural, creative and community destination. It is superbly positioned, jutting 350 metres into Victoria Harbour and surrounded by water on three sides. A recent major refurbishment fuses the pier's industrial past with sophisticated, cutting-edge design to provide the perfect setting for Melbourne's most exciting entertainment and events. Shed 9 was originally constructed in 1916 and comprised a central enclosed shed with open sided roof areas at either end. In 1939- 1946 the shed was altered, its roof raised and the entire roof area built in. The original shed 14 was constructed in 1916 at the same time as the central roadway. However this was demolished in 1941 and rebuilt in 1953 together with the new wharf apron, new flooring within the shed and widening of the central roadway. In 2007, both sheds were refurbished a nd re-opened. Shed 14 is now home to four sophisticated and stylish event spaces, including one of the largest events facilities in Victoria which also features a stunning 66-metre crystal chandelier, the longest chandelier in the southern hemisphere. Shed 9 is an eclectic mix of tourism and leisure tenancies, including a cocktail bar and pizzeria.

Significance
Victoria Dock, including Central Pier, is on the Victorian Heritage Register and Inventory as the oldest, large, single dock remaining in the world. It is a 37.6 hectare water basin constructed between 1887 and 1892 to accommodate large ships of the time. Sheds 9 and 14 are architecturally, historically and scientifically (technically) significant as the first sheds at Victoria Dock to be redesigned in 1942 to accommodate mechanical handling equipment.

What’s Open?
Visitors of Melbourne Open House will be able to access all external areas of Central Pier. Hourly tours will run taking in the interiors of sheds 9 and 14.