Proposed Elsternwick Cultural Precinct to offer vibrant public space

The Elsternwick Cultural Precinct project will transform Selwyn St and the surrounding area into a vibrant public space that celebrates Jewish culture.

With a proposed location across the road from Elsternwick Plaza, the new Jewish cultural and arts precinct will see the creation of an exciting pedestrian plaza in Selwyn St that will block off parts of the road to traffic.

The revitalisation project will also see the Melbourne Holocaust Museum (formerly the Jewish Holocaust Centre) expanded thanks to $10 million in Commonwealth government funding, as well as upgrades to the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, and the relocation of the Jewish museum.

Glen Eira City Council endorsed the plan to create the Jewish cultural and arts precinct in late 2018 after the state government pledged $1.5 million in funding for a cultural precinct.

The precinct is still in the design stage and the council has appointed landscape architects Rush Wright Associates, which worked on the Dandenong Civic Centre, to undertake detailed design work.

Under initial plans, the council wants to provide a space for public art and education at the northern end of Selwyn St, as well as safe pedestrian connections to Sholem Aleichem College.

With the Melbourne Holocaust Museum at the heart of the Elsternwick Cultural Precinct, there will be civic spaces created around the museum that allow for mindful reflection of Jewish history.

The council is working with a committee of local organisations and residents to oversee the design of the precinct, including commissioning artwork for the Melbourne Holocaust Museum that will commemorate survivors of the Holocaust.

The council wants to enhance the cultural experience through food as well, actively curating tenancies for authentic food outlets in Selwyn St.

The precinct works will also improve the area around Gordon St, making it easier and safer for pedestrians.

Glen Eira City Council director planning and place Ron Torres said further work and consultation with local stakeholders was required before the designs were presented to council and unveiled to the public.

The designs are subject to a decision by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on a Selwyn St development application from Woolworths.

Woolworths is trying to overturn a decision made by Glen Eira councillors, who rejected the supermarket chain’s proposal for a 14-storey development on Selwyn St last year.

View more information about the Elsternwick Cultural Precinct here.