Construction has begun on a major new venue at the Melbourne Recital Centre, with the organisation breaking ground on The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon, a performance and events space set to open later this year.

Located atop the Southbank building designed by ARM Architecture, the new venue will transform a previously underutilised level into a publicly accessible performance space offering panoramic views across the city skyline.

First announced in 2024, the development is backed by a $2 million investment, comprising $1 million from the Victorian Government and a matched philanthropic contribution from arts supporters Peter McMullin and Ruth McMullin.

Melbourne Recital Centre chief executive Sandra Willis said the project would reimagine “a storage space with the best views of Melbourne” as a vibrant, social venue distinct from the centre’s existing halls. She described The Beacon as an intimate and energetic setting designed to bring artists and audiences closer together.

The venue is expected to host a diverse program spanning cabaret, musical theatre, jazz and First Nations storytelling, alongside community events and private functions.