First posted 30 January 2020:
The #ChevronHotel in #StKildaRoad wasnt heritage listed an nearly demolished in the early 2000s for a high rise, but surprisingly it didn’t happen (helicopter flight paths ?), instead the main part was kept as apartments, a rear wing knocked off, and 10 storey blocks built on the inside edges of a larger site around a nice courtyard, completed 2006. The Chevron was built in 1934 just as the depression was lifting; designed by hotel specialist #LeslieMPerrott it was quite a prestigious ‘country club’ style, complete with tennis court and swimming pool, the first hotel in Melbourne to have one. Very low key design, almost domestic, no particular style, the tower thing doesn’t face the corner or even mark the entrance. It was still upmarket in the 1950s when the dining room/ballroom became a proper nightclub, hosting many star acts, and Ava Gardener and Gregory Peck stayed there while filming #onthebeach in 1959. I only remember it as a band venue and then a dance club in the 90s. The new version is apartments called Chevron Green, designed by @peddlethorparchitects, the courtyard by Eckersley Garden Architecture (the trees are deciduous letting winter sun in, summer sun out, lovely).
Update : in 2023 it was finally proposed for heritage listing as part of a review, and from that i see the entry was originally under the tower, but was relocated to the very stylish Deco entry on Commercial Road when it was extended to the east in 1939. The nightclub got going after gaining a liquor license in 1954, and the whole thing became a nurses home for the Alfred in 1978, with the nightclub becoming a disco until 2001. Old photos @library_vic
Storey of Melbourne 
Both the Chevron and the Savoy Plaza on Spencer street were built to have every room to have an external window. Also Frank Sinatra both performed and stayed there on one of his visits.
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Yes many famous identities performed there, and yes you’d hope most rooms would have a window! Though I guess you mean not into a light court. The savoy had three street fronts which made it easier.
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Hi, I used to go to the Chevron in the late 60s early 1970, was wondering if you had a list of famous overseas groups that played there? what we called the fancy room Lol As my girlfriend and I were invited to dinner and show, we were approaced by the manager of this famous group. However I can not remember the name of the group. I keep thinking it may have been the fourseasons , could they have played there ? I can remember they were from OS. Does anyone know ?
We did enjoy the dinner and show, but to their dismay the next invitation was declined and we went home Lol .
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Sorry I don’t have a list. Sounds fun though !
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Hi Dorine:
There are some partial lists produced of who played at the Chevron. They tend to focus on the 80’s onwards however, the older stuff is well – lost to memory?
1982-1983
-http://www.australianmusicdatabase.com/venues/chevron-hotel-melbourne-vic?page=1
1992-1970
https://www.setlist.fm/venue/club-chevron-melbourne-australia-63d47a6b.html?page=7
Good Luck
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Dorine, You’re referring to the Celebrity Room. I was the General Manager at the Time. The orchestra leader was Louis “Lloyd” Bonnett later known as Matt Flinders famous for Picking up Pebbles. We imported famous singers from the US and UK. The room was later converted to a late night early morning nightclub “The Distillery”
Cheers
Phil Richards
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Hi Phil, do you know of any historical photos of the venue and patrons in 1961/62. My mother, Deirdre Gael Darcy Searle, frequented the club. She has passed away and I’d love to find any photos. Cheers, Wayne
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