Live Nation to build 5,000-capacity music venue at Arden Central, North Melbourne

Live Nation will design, build and operate a new 5,000-capacity live music venue at Arden Central, the $7 billion precinct taking shape in North Melbourne. The venue is part of Stage One of the development and sits roughly two minutes' walk from Arden Station and 1.5 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD.

Alex Klos, President of Live Nation Australia & New Zealand, said continued venue investment is essential to attracting international artists to Melbourne. Guy Ngata, Live Nation's Senior Vice President of Venue Development, said the venue is being designed around the live experience, with the aim of creating an intimate connection between artists and fans. No construction start date, opening date or venue-specific cost has been disclosed.

The venue is being designed by Blueprint Studio, Live Nation's in-house design and development group, working with Populous. It is expected to host more than 100 events a year, mixing Australian and local artists with international touring acts.

Arden Central itself is a 5,400-home, 10,000-plus-resident neighbourhood under development by Hamton and Hostplus, with retail, hospitality, community facilities and 5.5 hectares of open space planned alongside the housing. Paul Hameister, Hamton's founder and Executive Chairman, called Live Nation the global leader in live entertainment.

Live Nation joins Melbourne Victory Football Club and the University of Melbourne as new Arden Central partners, alongside existing partner North Melbourne Football Club. Live Nation also announced a new Community Events Fund to support local artists and community use of the venue; its size and allocation method haven't been disclosed.