33 Saxon Street is well known to the Moreland community and currently operates as Siteworks and Blak Dot Gallery, a much loved community and creative space in the heart of Brunswick. It is part of the Civic and Cultural Precinct and the Brunswick Design District.
Since 2016, Siteworks and Blak Dot Gallery have transformed the old school site at 33 Saxon Street into a vibrant creative and community hub. The site used to be a school and the buildings are old and were not built for the purpose they are currently being used for.
It’s time to give it a makeover. We are going to redevelop 33 Saxon Street over the next few years to transform it into a state-of-the-art community and creative facility that supports our creative industries and can be enjoyed by everyone.
History of the site
The site at 33 Saxon Street used to be a school and includes a large old school building, a heritage house, and public open space. We purchased the site in 2010 and in 2016 we contracted These are the Projects We Do Together to manage the site as Siteworks. Our partnerships with them, and with leading First Nations contemporary art gallery Blak Dot, have transformed the place into a thriving arts and community hub. Their activation of the site to date has provided a vision for the future of 33 Saxon Street.
In 2017, we endorsed a Strategic Framework for the site to assist decision making on the future use and development. The Strategic Framework sets out our principles and priorities for the facility and is the foundation for how it will be used beyond 2021. It includes redeveloping with attention to:
- Creating more affordable arts space
- Increasing public open space
- Including a variety of community uses
- Creating a place to come together and build community
Redevelopment of 33 Saxon Street will meet the growing needs of our community by creating more space and opportunities for artists, community members and creative industries. It will be a welcoming, socially inclusive space that celebrates Moreland’s diversity, creativity and distinct culture.
The site will be managed by a Community Manager, who will be selected to operate the venue on behalf of Moreland Council and the community.
Some of the key benefits of the redevelopment include:
- A large (2,000sqm) public open space, designed in consultation with the community. The space will host outdoor events, community recreation and creative activities of the site.
- Exploring the potential for a brand new home for Brunswick Neighbourhood House. The space will be designed to allow Brunswick Neighbourhood House to support the growing local community through their many services and complement Council’s vision for a collaborative hub at the site.
- A new community-use facility that will house occasional childcare, Maternal and Child Health facilities, multipurpose community rooms and commercial office space.
- Creative production spaces and a gallery exhibition space that will be available for artists and creative organisations to lease with subsidised rent.
- Space for a commercial cafe or hospitality business.
- Improved connection and access between the site and Brunswick Baths
Project timeline
In 2018 after consultation with the community we endorsed a concept plan for the redevelopment of the site including updates to the existing facilities, new buildings and an outdoor public space. In 2020 we reviewed the concept with consideration of the strategic framework alongside the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. A refined version of the concept was endorsed in 2020 and the final design process is now underway, due to be reviewed by Council later in November 2021.
What happens next?
Following Community Engagement in August and September 2021, Council will consider a final concept plan in November 2021. Should this be resolved, the design team will move to detailed design with an expected planning permit application in early/mid-2022.
Visit and share your ideas in our short survey.
