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 8:30

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 OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts