Crown Melbourne to redevelop The Palms into 1,200-seat theatre
The entertainment venue upgrade is part of Crown’s broader strategy to enhance its hospitality and leisure offerings.
Key points:
– Crown Melbourne will begin redevelopment of The Palms into a 1,200-seat theatre in early 2026
– The project follows other recent investments, including new dining venues and entertainment spaces
– The upgrade aims to expand Crown’s live performance offerings and contribute to Melbourne’s cultural economy
Crown Melbourne has announced plans to transform The Palms into a 1,200-seat theatre, with construction set to commence in early 2026.
The redevelopment forms part of Crown’s wider strategy to strengthen its position as an entertainment venue in Australia and expand its live performance offerings.
Crown Melbourne CEO Mike Volkert said: “The redevelopment of The Palms will allow us to attract the premier international and domestic performers and shows that we know our guests want to see at Crown.”
The upgrade follows Crown Melbourne’s recent investments in its hospitality and entertainment portfolio. These include the launch of Marmont, a dining venue along the riverwalk, the introduction of Kolkata Cricket Club and the upcoming Urban Food District at Crown Perth.
The company says the redevelopment will also support Melbourne’s tourism industry and live entertainment sector.
Good to know: Since opening in 1997, The Palms has hosted more than 150 shows annually, featuring both local and international artists
Volkert added: “This project is the first of many as part of our strategic vision to continue investing in Crown Melbourne to transform Crown into Melbourne’s ultimate entertainment destination and significantly contribute to Melbourne’s cultural economy as we work to revitalise our city’s nightlife, entertainment and dining experiences.”
The announcement comes amid wider changes at Crown Melbourne, including the Victorian Government’s decision to mandate carded play across all gaming venues. The system, introduced at Crown Melbourne in December 2023, has since registered over 400,000 participants and is designed to promote safer gambling practices.
Crown Melbourne has pledged to assist in the implementation of the initiative statewide. The company has invested over AU$200m ($129m) in governance, compliance, and harm minimisation measures following regulatory scrutiny in recent years. Despite these changes, Crown Melbourne retained its casino licence after implementing a series of operational reforms.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
