The history
On 9 March 1857 the first St Kilda Council elections were held. Two days later the seven member council held their first meeting in a room adjoining the Junction Hotel, and elected Councillor Benjamin Cowderoy as Chairman. St Kilda became a borough in 1863 and was proclaimed a city in 1890.
St Kilda
Town Hall Stories
A historical and cultural overview of the St Kilda Town Hall, detailing its architectural evolution, civic significance, and role in community life. It traces the building’s journey from William Pitt’s ambitious 1887 design through major milestones such as the addition of the Beaux-Arts portico in 1925, the devastating fire of 1991, and subsequent redevelopments in 1994 and 2008.
Town Hall Timeline
| Year | Event |
| 1887 | Pitt had a magnificent vision for this Town Hall but financial constraints limited the design to a plain brick façade; the proposed tower, dome, and statues were never built. |
| 1890 | Named the St Kilda City Hall in the year St Kilda became a city. |
| 1925 | Beaux-Arts style portico added; foyer remodelled; original central staircase replaced with two marble staircases. |
| 1957 | The red brick façade was rendered. |
| 1960's | Municipal offices fronting Carlisle Street were added to meet growing community expectations. |
| 1991 | Fire devastated a significant part of Town Hall. |
| 1994 | Building reopened with creative design by Melbourne architecture firm Ashton Raggart McDougall. |
| 2008 | New administrative block replaced municipal offices on Carlisle Street. |
