Palais De Danse, St Kilda, during construction in 1920black and white photograph, unmounted, copy, fair conditionOn front: Palais De Danse Premier Sat June 5th

The first Palais dance theatre in Warrnambool was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Kepler and Koroit Streets. When the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1929 the Palais was moved to the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street operating as a cinema. In 1939 the area in the Oddfellows Hall was converted into a dance floor, a skating rink and a squash court. The Palais dance hall continued until 1974. It had been a major entertainment venue in Warrnambool featuring many well known bands and singers over the years. This photograph is a fine memento of a most important entertainment venue in Warrnambool in the second half of the 20th century.A colour photograph of the interior of a dance hall showing the dance space, the lighting and the alcoves. The photograph is in two sections placed together. It is mounted on a yellow cardboard mount with a cut-out, printed name in cursive script. The black frame is made of composite material. A glass covering is over the photograph. On the back is a wire attachment for the hanging of the frame. There are crease and scratch markings in the bottom of the photograph.Palais de Dansepalais de danse warrnambool, the palais warrnambool, interior of the palais warrnambool, dance hall warrnambool, warrnambool

Dance Floor, Palais De Danse, Esplanade, St Kilda, 1926. black and white photograph, unmounted, original, fair condition

The Palais de Danse was a large dance hall located next to the Palais Theatre on the foreshore of St Kilda. Built in 1919, it featured a remarkable geometric interior created in 1920 by the renowned architects Walter Burley Griffin and his wife, Marion Mahoney and it was a popular entertainment venue throughout the early 20th century. The building was destroyed by fire on 27 December 1968.black and white photographpalais de danse, walter burley griffin, marion mahoney

Warrnambool’s first Palais was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets and destroyed by fire in 1929. The second Palais was established at the Liberty Theatre in Lava Street. The third Palais was established in the Oddfellows Hall building in Koroit Street in 1939. Dances were held weekly and sometimes more often and attracted musical talent from the Warrnambool district and even from Melbourne with band leaders such as Tommy Davidson and Vin Mills. In 1974 the Warrnambool City Council bought the building and it was used only intermittently for entertainment purposes. Today the building is in private hands and is used for commercial and business purposes. This advertisement is of considerable significance as it comes from the Palais de Danse dance theatre which was important as a social institution in Warrnambool for over 30 years. The advertisement also reminds us of the era (1940s, 50s, 60s) when beauty pageants and Belle of the Ball competitions were popular all over Australia. This is a document in a brown plastic frame with a gold-coloured metal inside edging. The frame has a glass front. The document is a 1954 advertisement for the Palais de Danse dance floor in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. The advertisement has black and red printing on a buff-coloured background. The advertisement has an ornamental edge around the printing and a red-coloured photograph of the dance floor. ‘Palais de Danse, Warrnambool, proclaims The Belle of the Western District, The Largest Provincial Competition, Biggest Prizes Ever Offered, The Most Beautiful Girls in the Western District’ etc etcpalais de danse, warrnambool, beauty pageants, warrnambool

Also on print Bohringer Taylor and Johnson Pty Ltd, Architects and Civil Engineers, 80 Swanston St, MelbourneGold coloured photograph of an advertisement promoting the Picture Theatre and Palais de Danse, built by Bohringer, Taylor and Johnson Pty Ltd, Architects and Civil Engineers, opened in December 1926, with a grand ball. Lakes Entrance VictoriaPicture Theatre and Palais de Danse, Lakes Entrance, 26/11/26architecture, cinema

Peace celebration entertainment for St Kilda children at Luna Park and the Palais de Danse, St KildaSingle sheet of white paper that has discoloured with age, printed in blueluna park, palais de danse, city of st kilda, wwi peace celebrations, st kilda brass band

Aerial view of Luna Park, Palais Pictures, Palais de Danse, St Kilda Pier, late 1920sblack and white, arial photograph luna park, palais de danse, palais pictures, st kilda pier

Invitation to monster cabaret ball held on 8 February 1939 at the Palais de Danse to raise funds for the Mayor and Mayoress Bush Fire FundWhite card, discoloured with age, printed in blueStamped ticket number 2000st kilda mayoral function, st kilda balls, palais de danse

Invitation card for the private opening of the Wattle Path Palais & Cafe, on the Esplanade, St Kilda, on 30 October 1923. The event was written up in The Argus newspaper the next day as follows: WATTLE PATH PALAIS OPENED. Five thousand persons were present at the "private opening" last night of the Wattle Path Palais and Cafe, St Kilda esplanade. The mayor of St Kilda (Councillor Allan) welcomed the guests on behalf of the management. The floor, 190ft. x 90ft, is claimed to be the largest specially constructed for dancing in Australia. There was much to admire in the colour tones, which blended brown, blue, and gold harmoniously, while soft lighting effects came from old gold georgette and crepe-de-chene lamp shades. A good band was provided. Sixty-five loges are available for parties of dancers. A feature of the building is the open-air pagoda, in which free band concerts are to be given on Sundays.White card, discoloured with age, printed in brown with teal profile in background.wattle path palais & cafe, palais de danse

Contains tickets for rides at Luna Park and entry to the Palais de Danse to see a film starring Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. The event was sponsored by the City of St Kilda for children as part of peace celebrations on 19 July 1919.Booklet of tickets printed in blue on white paper that has discoloured with age. City of St Kilda logo on the front. One ticket has been removed.luna park, palias de danse, st kilda patriotic committee, city of st kilda, wwi peace celebrations, children's entertainment

This is an original programme issued when the Warrnambool Theatre was opened in 1930 in Kepler Street. The programme for the premiere of the picture theatre included an ‘all talking’ feature, ‘Hollywood Revue’ and all of the 1150 seats were filled. The building replaced the Palais de Danse and the Mansions Theatre, part of the Hotel Mansions destroyed by fire in 1929. The architects for the new theatre were Bohringer, Taylor and Johnson in association with R.A. Le Poer Terry and H. Mervyn Thompson. The Warrnambool Theatre, one of six cinemas in Victoria built in the Spanish Mission style, was renamed the Capitol Theatre in 1935. In 1994 the Capitol Theatre interior was renovated and the rare original design features (only 3 remaining in Victoria at the time) were covered up.This programme has considerable interest as it concerns the opening of the Warrnambool Theatre (later the Capitol Theatre) in Warrnambool. This is a significant building in Warrnambool because of its architecture.This is a programme with a cover and one insert sheet folded into two. The cover is blue with red printing and has an image of the Warrnambool Picture Theatre on the front. The insert pages are buff-coloured with red printing and several advertisements. A blue piece of string holds the programme together. ‘The New Warrnambool Theatre. Direction Civic Pictures’ ‘Premiere Saturday 12th April 1930 Souvenir Programme’ capitol theatre warrnambool

These glass slides were made to be used at interval time at the Capitol Theatre in Kepler Street, Warrnambool. The Capitol Theatre (originally the Warrnambool Theatre) was erected in 1930 on the site occupied by the Hotel Mansions which included a Palais de Danse and a Mansions Theatre. All were destroyed by fire in 1929. The Capitol Theatre was built in the Spanish Mission style and is one of the few surviving Spanish Mission style theatres in Victoria. However the interior was largely altered in 1994 when the Capitol was converted into a three-screen complex. But some decorative features of the old interior were kept and these included the original proscenium. Stan Stevens and his family were associated with the Capitol Theatre management for many years from 1972. The Capitol Theatre still operates today. These slides are of considerable importance as they are a wonderful example of picture theatre-going in the 1940s and 50s when slides were shown during the interval times and many of these were locally made. The reason for showing the words of songs is not known but it is presumed they had sing-a-longs during the intervals, possibly to boost morale during the days of World War Two. The advertising slides are of particular interest and feature such local businesses as the Woollen Mill, Sungold Dairies, E.A. Wright Motors and Alex Donaldson Timber and Hardware Supplies. These are small square glass slides (numbered1 to 92) which were shown in the 1940s at the Capitol Theatre in Warrnambool at interval time (advertisements, words of songs etc). Some of the slides have been professionally produced and some, especially the words of songs, have been hand-made and handwritten or typed. Some are in colour and some are blank. In others the contents have been obscured or obliterated. Most of the slides have been taped around the edges and some have more sturdy frames made of tape. capitol theatre, warrnambool, stan stevens, glass slides, movie theatre

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.black and white photographSt Moritz, St Kilda. Ice Skating. Caf�st moritz, st kilda, the esplanade, ice skating

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.This photo was taken during the fire in 1982.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.This photo was taken during the fire in 1982.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex. The image was published with an article about the fire and demolition of the rink in the Mar/Apr 1983 edition of community newspaper Shout.This photo was taken during the fire in 1982.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex. The image was published with an article about the fire and demolition of the rink in the Mar/Apr 1983 edition of community newspaper Shout.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz

The St. Moritz Ice Rink was a popular ice skating rink on The Esplanade, St. Kilda, Victoria. It operated between 1939–1981. As one of only two ice rinks in Melbourne in the 1940s and 1950s, it played a central role to the sport of ice hockey in Australia. Closed in 1982, it soon suffered a major fire and was then demolished, an event later seen as a major blow to the heritage of St Kilda. It was first built as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1922, a very large dance hall, designed by architects Beaver & Purnell, The Wattle Path was the venue for the first all-Australian dance championship, and featured some of the best dance bands of Australia, as well as from America. Popular throughout the 1920s, it suffered due to the Great Depression, and closed in the early 1930s. From 1933-1936 the building became a film studio, Efftee Studios, for Frank W. Thring. In 1938, businessman Henry Hans "Harry" Kleiner announced that the Wattle Path would become an ice rink. He was sole proprietor until 1953, when he sold the business to J. Gordon and T. Molony, both champion skaters. Trade declined during the 1970s. The building was sold in 1980 to developers Hudson Conway and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and was closed in early 1982. It was nominated to the Historic Buildings Preservation Council, but a majority of City of St Kilda councillors voted to oppose this action and uphold a demolition permit already issued. The building infamously suffered a fire later that year, leaving only the facades, which were demolished soon after. The site remained vacant until about 1991, when a mid-price hotel called the St Moritz was constructed. By 1993 it was simply called the Novotel St Kilda. The hotel closed in 2019 and was replaced by an apartment complex. The photograph shows signs and workers of Whelan the Wrecker team, a well-known demolition company in Melbourne.Black and white photograph, unmounteddavid rae collection, st kilda, st moritz