Plans to transform the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote into a landmark Greek Cultural Precinct have entered a critical new phase, with the proposal formally lodged through the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program (DFP).
The project, known as CHORA, is being led by architect Billy Kavallaris of Kavallaris Urban Design (KUD) and commissioned by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
“KUD is honoured to lead the conservation, restoration, and reinvigoration of the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, formerly the Little Sisters of the Poor Convent. This sacred site has long stood as a beacon of faith, care, and community,” Mr Kavallaris told The Greek Herald.
A modern ‘Chora’ in Melbourne
The CHORA precinct will take inspiration from the ancient Greek concept of chora – a fertile landscape surrounding a city where life, work, and culture converge. The vision is to create a modern Greek village in Melbourne, combining education, housing, arts, heritage, hospitality, and communal green spaces.
Key features include an indoor/outdoor amphitheatre, art studios, a hotel, bookstore, apartments, event spaces, and a central church. The heritage convent will be meticulously restored to its original form, while non-contributory structures will be removed to preserve its historic integrity.
“The master plan includes eight distinct buildings, with the heritage structure at its heart,” Mr Kavallaris explained. “It will be carefully restored to its original form and repurposed to ensure its continued cultural significance for generations to come.”
Collaborative design and planning
The design process has involved close collaboration with key authorities, including the City of Darebin, the Department of Transport and Planning, and Heritage Victoria. Through the DFP, the project has been able to bypass council processes, reflecting its scale and conservation importance.
“This planning application represents a precedent-setting initiative from the state government,” Mr Kavallaris said, noting that multiple presentations and design workshops had been held to streamline approval pathways.
Heritage and Conservation
The Northcote site was first established by the Little Sisters of the Poor, a French Roman Catholic order that arrived in Melbourne in 1884. They built the convent and chapel in 1885–86, dedicating their work to caring for the elderly and poor.
Now, the conservation plan aims to restore the convent to its former glory, with respect for its heritage fabric and original architecture.
Government Support and Community Significance
The federal government has already committed $10 million in funding towards the project. When announcing the funding, then-Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles described the precinct as a model for preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.
“Melbourne is a truly multicultural society and Labor is proud to play our part in supporting the local community in sharing and celebrating our diversity,” he said.
Former Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, added: “This is an exciting project that is coming to fruition almost three decades after the idea was first envisaged. Our commitment will bring this together for the benefit of all communities.”
What happens next?
With the planning application lodged, the project team is now awaiting formal approval from the Victorian Government. Once granted, works are expected to commence in 2026–2027.
For Melbourne’s Greek community, the precinct promises more than just infrastructure. It is envisioned as a lasting cultural hub – a space to preserve language, traditions, and heritage, while also opening doors for broader multicultural engagement across Victoria.
