First posted 30 January 2020
The #ChevronHotel in #StKildaRoad was nearly demolished in the early 2000s for a high rise, which got a permit, but surprisingly it wasn’t (helicopter flight paths ?), instead the main part was kept and 10 storey wings built on the inside edges around a nice courtyard, rather better than everything since ! It was built in 1934 just as the depression was lifting; designed by hotel specialist #LeslieMPerrott it was quite a prestigious ‘country club’, complete with tennis court and swimming pool, the first hotel to have one. Very low key design, almost domestic, the tower thing doesn’t face the corner or even mark entrance. It was still upmarket in the 1950s when the ballroom became a proper nightclub, and Ava Gardener stayed there while filming #onthebeach in 1959. The hotel part must’ve closed ages ago like the 80s cos I only remember it as a band venue and then dance club in the 90s. After being empty for a while in 2006 it reopened as Chevron Green, designed by @peddlethorparchitects, with a courtyard by Eckersley Garden Architecture. I have a friend who lives there, it’s kept very neat, and the trees are deciduous letting winter sun in, summer sun out, lovely.
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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