The wonderful red brick Carlton Court House, currently home to La Mama Theatre, has been given a complete restoration makeover. Funded by operations of The Mint Inc,  this @$1 million makeover was completed at no cost to government and without drawing on public funds.

This unusual Gothic court house presented a real challenge to architect Bruce Trethowan as he worked to restore all the unusual architectural features back to original condition yet maintain its current use as theatre space. Over the years the basalt plinths had weathered, the sandstone parapets had become unstable, the slates on the roof had shifted and the stained glass windows were boarded over and needed a great deal of work. The plaster was chipped, the courtroom furniture was all in place but very battered and the electrical works left much to be desired.

Determined to keep the original toilets, built at the same time as the court house in 1887, the architect managed to comply with the regulations whilst retaining the fixtures and fittings. An army of craftsmen and women restored and repaired everything - from French polishers, to hard plasterers, from painters to stained glass restorers – they all worked at their traditional trades to bring the building back to life.

There were many problems to be overcome. The windows were fully restored but theatre use determined complete blackout. Electronic blinds were the answer and now the windows can be appreciated without needing to be boarded over. The furniture was French polished and then placed under the raked theatre seats out of harm’s way. The prisoner’s dock as secured high up on the wall.

The ornate Gothic style is unusual for a court house yet was designed by the Public Works Department. The Carlton Police Station just across the road was built only a few years earlier in 1878, and is still in use. These two buildings remind us that 19th century Carlton, then a strongly working class suburb, had always had its share of crime. The design of the court house was clearly intended to impress those unfortunate beings that were brought before the bench and acted to remind them of the majesty of the law and the importance of justice.

Today theatre goers can appreciate the internal spaces while people in the street will welcome the improvements which add to the atmosphere of Carlton, one of Melbourne’s earliest suburbs.

Carlton Court House and La Mama Theatre are at 345 Drummond Street, Carlton. The restored building was opened by the Honourable Mary Delahunty, Minister for the Arts at 5pm Tuesday 15 March 2005.