Hawthorn Community House renewal

We’re renewing the William Street and Henry Street neighbourhood house buildings in Central Gardens, Hawthorn.

Project status

The construction contract to renew the William Street building has been awarded and we expect construction to start in late October 2026.

Project budget

$4.4 million

The William Street building renewal as funding allocated in the 26-27 Council budget.

The Henry Street building renewal has funding allocated in Council's 4-year foreshadowed budget. Council reviews and confirms funding each year through the annual budget process

About

We’re renewing the buildings in Central Gardens, Hawthorn to provide Hawthorn Community House with welcoming, flexible spaces for valued community programs and activities.

The renewed buildings will include larger, more practical spaces, giving Hawthorn Community House greater flexibility to deliver and expand programs, support more community groups and respond to changing community needs.

The 2 buildings are heritage-listed houses and were repurposed for use by Hawthorn Community House. The renewal will improve safety, accessibility and functionality while retaining the buildings’ important heritage character.

We’ll protect and restore important heritage features while creating accessible, fit-for-purpose facilities that can support the community for years to come.

The renewal will be delivered in two stages. Work on the William Street building is expected to start in November October 2026, with work on the Henry Street building expected to start in late 2027.

William Street building

We’ll upgrade the current building and add a small extension.

Key works include:

• restoring the heritage rooms and fixing moisture issues, while retaining key original features
• improving the internal layout so the spaces work better for community use
• refurbishing the kitchen
• creating a new breakout space for community activities
• adding new ramps, paths and amenities to make the building more accessible and inclusive.

Construction

We'll start work on the William Street building in late October 2026 and expect to finish in mid-2027.

During construction, programs and activities usually held in the William Street building will relocate to the Henry Street building.

Access during construction

You'll still be able to enjoy Central Gardens and the playground while works are underway.

The pedestrian path beside the building that leads into Central Gardens will remain open.

Construction hours

Construction will take place:

• Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm
• Occasionally on Saturdays, 9 am to 5 pm

We'll keep any Saturday work to a minimum.

Trees and landscaping

We won't remove any trees as part of these works. We'll protect trees in and around the construction area throughout construction. 

Henry Street building

We’ll replace the existing rear extension with a modern space designed for community needs.

Key works include:

• restoring the original building, while addressing key structural and moisture issues
• adding three multipurpose rooms, a community kitchen with a social room, modern amenities and an outdoor deck
• improving connection between the Hawthorn Community House and Central Gardens green space 
• adding new ramps and amenities to make the building more accessible and inclusive.

We plan to start work on the Henry Street building in late 2027, subject to Council approval through the 2027–28 budget process.
 

Timeline