The Hordern Rocks On

THE HORDERN ROCKS ON  

Victory for live music as beloved Hordern Pavilion gets a major revitalisation 

Playbill Venues will preserve and enhance the beloved Hordern Pavilion, ensuring it retains its rightful place as Australia’s favourite live music and entertainment venue. 

Thanks to a unique joint venture between Playbill Venues and the Sydney Swans, the PlayOn Group will invest $65 million dollars to revitalise the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries (RHI) and create a new outdoor entertainment space between the two heritage buildings in Sydney’s Moore Park.  

Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust confirmed the PlayOn Group as the successful proponent in the tender for RHI and the Hordern. From May 2019, Playbill Venues will rejuvenate the Hordern, while the Sydney Swans repurpose the RHI as their new Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre. 

Key features of Hordern Pavilion revitalisation include: 

• Hordern Pavilion’s future secured as a live music venue

• A new forecourt plaza providing a lively outdoor event space

• Adaptable, versatile auditorium configurations

• Improved amenities and facilities

• New state-of-the-art seating system

• Upgraded foyer and venue entry 

• Dedicated outdoor performance area

Playbill Venues Managing Director Michael Nebenzahl said this was a victory for Australia’s live entertainment scene.

“We’ve seen many venues close their doors in recent years, so we’re thrilled to have this opportunity, in partnership with the Sydney Swans, to protect the future of the Hordern,” he said. 

“As custodians of the Hordern for the past 18 years, Playbill Venues understand this building is an essential part of Sydney’s social and cultural fabric.

“The Hordern is an iconic venue, where fans recall their first gig with enthusiasm and Australian performers have always aspired to play.”

“Playbill Venues is investing $10 million in a significant capital works upgrade to protect the Hordern and enhance its role as a premier live music and entertainment venue.”

“Our vision is to create a multipurpose space with the versatility to host a wider variety of events and performance options including concerts large and small, theatre and entertainment, exhibitions, functions and launches.”