Hillsong snaps up one of Melbourne's most iconic music venues for $23million - after founder Brian Houston lashed out at Premier Gladys Berejiklian for refusing to let more than 100 Christians gather at once

Hillsong Church have snapped up an iconic music concert venue in Melbourne for $23million days after founder Brian Houston criticised NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's restrictions on religious gatherings. 

The prestigious Festival Hall in West Melbourne, Victoria, was put on the market three years ago after struggling to compete with other music venues in the city centre.

And now it's home to Australia's charismatic Christian megachurch Hillsong, with  founder Brian Houston and his wife Roberta making the announcement while speaking at a conference on Sunday. 

'By God's grace we've been able to purchase Festival Hall,' he said.

Festival Hall had been the go-to venue for mega stars like The Beatles, who appeared there in 1964 and Ed Sheeran, who sang on stage in 2013. 

Famous Melbourne concert venue Festival Hall has been bought by Hillsong for a staggering $23million

Founder Brian Houston and his partner Roberta made the announcement while speaking at a Hillsong conference on Sunday

Festival Hall, in West Melbourne, had been the go-to venue for music performances with artistic giants like Ed Sheeran and The Beatles passing through its doors

State pastor Tim Douglass revealed the Pentecostal megachurch had been eyeing the property for at least 18 months.

'We just happened to hear that it was for sale and started inquiring, thinking that it was a long shot,' Mr Douglass said.

'I mean, we've been looking for seven or so years and come up empty-handed.' 

The church had hoped to acquire the venue in Christmas last year, though the plans fell through. 

The purchase was finalised after a 'roller coaster of events' this year.

Mr Douglass said the Hall will be a place of worship for Hillsong followers on Sundays and continue to act as an entertainment venue every other day.

'The cool thing about purchasing Festival Hall is it's going to continue to be Festival Hall,' he said.

'It has served the people of this city in different events over the years and it's going to continue to do that.

'We just get to be the church that purchases it and continues to serve, but also gets to see it be the house of God on Sundays.'  

Melbourne Festival Hall was built in 1915 and burned down in 1955.

Speedy construction work returned the Hall to its former glory in time for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Festival Hall will become the Melbourne base for Hillsong members (pictured, Hillsong members at a conference)

Melbourne's Festival Hall has been the stage for some of music's biggest stars including Dave Grohl

Deep Purple's Roger Glover, Ian Gillan and Ian Paice take to the stage at Festival Hall in 2010

Several music greats along the likes of Oasis and Iggy Pop have walked through the doors of Festival Hall

History of Melbourne's Festival Hall

Melbourne Festival Hall was built by John Wren in 1915.

It burned down in 1955 before it was restored the following year.

The Hall played host to the gymnastics and wrestling events during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.  

Since then, the hall has played host to a number of world-renowned musical artists along the likes of Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Justin Timberlake, Bill Haley, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and Ed Sheeran.

Boxing giants Anthony Mundine, Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon have also sparred in the hall. 

Despite its fame, owner Stadiums Limited said the Hall had struggled to compete with other venues and it was put up for sale in 2018.

The integrity of the building came under threat after a plan was lodged to bulldoze most of the Hall and build apartments.

The project would have cost $65 million and led to the construction of two 16-storied apartment blocks.

Since then, the Hall has played host to a number of world-renowned musical artists along the likes of Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Justin Timberlake.

Boxing giants Anthony Mundine, Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon have also sparred in the Hall.   

Hillsong's Brian Houston expressed outrage on Monday October 19 after church services were snubbed from the latest round of eased COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales.

Weddings can have up to 300 guests from December 1, while up to 40,000 footy fans attended the NRL Grand Final between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm on Sunday night.

But strict limits remain in place for church services with attendances capped at 100, despite some megachurches in Sydney having space for more than 4,000 people.

Hillsong have revealed they plan to renovate the hall with a number of artist impressions indicating what the future interior could look like

Mr Houston claims Christians have been discriminated against.

'Of course watching the football and people are cheering and hugging and spitting and high fiving, community event numbers are growing, but there has been absolutely no change to churches,' Mr Houston told Today Show on Wednesday.

'You can have 300 people indoors for a wedding. But you can't have anything like that, 100 people indoors obviously socially distanced, no matter how big the building.'

'We have some big buildings but we are only allowed 100 people in there.'