After two years hidden under scaffolding, the facelift to St Kilda's historic Palais Theatre has been revealed, with its new paint job restoring the venue to its original yellow hue after decades in white.
Yet just as the grand dame's new look is unveiled, those who have worked inside the historic theatre are saying goodbye as the venue closes while the interior is refurbished and new management takes over.
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Staff have marked the end of an era under CEO Neil Croker, who has run the venue since 2007, with Christmas parties on Sunday and Monday. Rockwiz Live! on Saturday night was the final public event before the doors close until mid-2017.
The lightbox marquee out front, rather than listing upcoming acts, pays tribute to the departing CEO and staff, "Neil and the Rockin' Palais crew, thanks for the memories, it's been a blast".
![End of an era: The Palais' facelift is revealed as the venue's doors close to the public while the interior is renovated.](/web/20161220095244im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/e/1/o/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtdzl1.png/1482147494126.jpg)
A hoarding out front showcases international performers who have graced the Palais stage over the past decade – Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Florence and the Machine and the late Leonard Cohen – as well as local artists John Farnham and Guy Sebastian. Since opening in 1927 the theatre has also hosted luminaries such as Bob Hope and the Rolling Stones and in recent weeks '60s supergroup the Monkees.
The theatre's website has been updated with the notification that the box office is "permanently closed".
It bears a message of thanks from Palais Theatre Management Pty Ltd: "We programmed 100+ shows and welcomed 225,000+ patrons annually, raised over $3m for charity and returned the Palais Theatre to the heart of the community," it reads.
"We thank our patrons whose passion for live music helped the Palais Theatre become Australia's No.1 theatre concert venue.
![Work continues on the Palais facade as the neighboring Luna Park landmark looks on.](/web/20161220095244im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/x/m/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtdzl1.png/1482138983380.jpg)
"This website and all Palais Theatre social media are now inactive. The new operator will begin running the Palais Theatre in April 2017 with a new website and social media account.
"Thank you for your support and we wish you and the Palais Theatre future success."
![Under wraps: The Palais shrouded in scaffolding last month.](/web/20161220095244im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/x/g/8/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtdzl1.png/1482138983380.jpg)
In 2013 the venue was named Australia's highest-grossing concert venue, and the 25th in global rankings, by international trade bible Pollstar.
It has been shrouded in scaffolding since 2014 as part of a $20 million restoration of the art deco gem by Major Projects Victoria, the City of Port Phillip and Heritage Victoria.
![Workers began removing the scaffold on Monday morning.](/web/20161220095244im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/x/m/w/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gtdzl1.png/1482138983380.jpg)
The restoration project followed a state election campaign that saw rocker Tex Perkins stand against Albert Park Labor MP Martin Foley (now the Creative Industries Minister) as an independent candidate in a bid to save the Palais.
Speaking outside the venue on Monday, Alki Stefamidis, a security guard at the Palais for two and a half years, said it was sad to say goodbye to her workmates at their break-up on Sunday and bittersweet to see the venue close for renovations.
Ms Stefamidis said she and other staff were unsure whether the new managers would take on any existing employees once the venue reopens.
St Kilda resident Krystyna Kynst said she thought the venue's new paint colour was "magnificent".
"It's wonderful, it's terrific," she said while walking her dog past the building.
The Australian arm of multinational entertainment company Live Nation won a tender for the long-term lease of the venue, the City of Port Phillip announced in July.
Live Nation Australia CEO and president Michael Coppel has promised to, "restore the Palais to its former glories, to better adapt it to the changing requirements of live performances, and to operate it for the benefit of all stakeholders, hirers, staff and patrons".
The company, which owns Ticketmaster, said it had agreed to a fair competition and confidentiality policy for the hire of the Palais, which would be subject to approval by the council.
It has also promised to establish a community fund that could raise up to $4 million for local projects and groups over the life of the lease.
Live Nation's Senior Vice President, venue development Gregory Gillin said interior works would include installing disabled lifts and wheelchair amenities, upgrading fire and electrical systems and improving backstage facilities for artists.
Other works would include adding a "wintergarden" with wrought iron glass, replacing four small bars upstairs with a large oval bar and restoring the inside of the domes that sit atop the building.
Mr Gillin said Live Nation hoped to reopen the Palais by June next year, and had already taken bookings that it hoped it could bring forward to May. The opening event was likely to be community oriented rather than a major act, Mr Gillin said.
Fairfax Media has sought comment from Neil Croker.