The Arts Centre (City of Melbourne, Victoria)

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he Arts Centre is a complex of theatres and concert halls in the Southgate precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, designed by architect Sir Roy Grounds. The masterplan for the complex (along with the National Gallery of Victoria) was approved in 1960, and construction of the Arts Centre began in 1973 following some delays. The complex opened in stages, with Hamer Hall opening in 1982, and the Theatres building opening in 1984.

The Arts Centre is located by the Yarra River and St Kilda Road, one of the city's main thoroughfares.

The Arts Centre is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

he complex retains landmark status due to its massive steel spire and its wrap-around base. The original spire designed by Roy Grounds was 115 metres tall. By the mid-1990s, signs of deterioration became apparent on the original upper spire structure, and the Arts Centre Trust decided to replace the spire. The new spire was completed in 1996, and reaches 162 metres, though it is still based on Roy Grounds' original design. The spire is illuminated with roughly 6,600 metres (21,653 feet) of optic fibre tubing, 150 metres (492 feet) of neon tubing on the mast and 14,000 incandescent lamps on the spire's skirt. The metal webbing of the spire is influenced by the billowing of a ballerina's tutu and the Eiffel Tower.

A Wedge-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon were utilised in early 2008 to deter groups of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos from damaging the spire's electrical fittings and thimble-sized lights.