fortyfivedownstairs plans to stick around despite development woes

The multi-arts space is threatened by a neighbouring development but has no plans to call it quits.

15 Dec 2021

Richard Watts

Performing Arts

The unique aspects of fortyfivedownstairs were showcased in the 2017 production Angels in America. Photo credit: Sarah Walker.

The agent of change principal, introduced in Victoria in 2014, is supposed to protect existing live music venues from encroaching residential developments that might threaten their operation.

Multi-purpose arts space fortyfivedownstairs, located at 45 Flinders Lane in the Melbourne CBD, showcases a wide range of live music events in a normal year.

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Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts