Mushroom Group, the Australian independent music powerhouse founded by the late Michael Gudinski, is selling its longtime headquarters in Melbourne. The building at 9 Dundas Lane in Albert Park has been a fixture of the city’s independent music scene for almost five decades, and now it is on the market.
This deal follows a period of significant transformation for the business. Mushroom Group revealed earlier this year its plans to relocate to Little Collins Street in Melbourne’s East End. The new premises will bring together employees and functions covering touring, record labels, talent management, event curation, music publishing, creative services, booking agencies, merchandising, brand and marketing services, film production and distribution, neighboring rights, and other areas.
The Building’s History
This site was originally a biscuit factory, occupying a 525 sqm freehold lot at a corner position with access from three streets. Its built area runs to around 1,080 sqm, merging warehouse dimensions with historic detail and a rooftop terrace.
This building spans roughly 490 sqm* across its two primary floors, plus an additional approximately 100 sqm of upper-level office space and rooftop terrace. Marshall White, working alongside Stonebridge and following instructions from Advise Transact, has been assigned to handle the property’s representation.
Since Mushroom Group moved its operations to the site in 1980, the building has served as a key gathering place for Melbourne’s independent music scene. The company’s original headquarters were situated nearby in St Kilda.
The Artists Who Signed There
The list of artists who signed deals within the building’s walls is lengthy and includes some of Australia’s biggest names:
- Kylie Minogue
- Jimmy Barnes
- Split Enz
- Skyhooks
- Archie Roach
- Paul Kelly
- Hunters & Collectors
- Yothu Yindi
- Vance Joy
- The Temper Trap
- Vika & Linda
- Dan Sultan
- The Teskey Brothers
This venue serves as the spiritual headquarters for Frontier Touring, a major promoter in these parts. Frontier has staged shows for Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters and many other acts. Currently, Frontier Touring is one of over 20 firms running under the Mushroom Group umbrella.
What Matt Gudinski Said
Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski, Michael’s son, commented on the sale. He described the building as an incredible part of the company’s history and noted that it is globally renowned in the music industry.
“I’ve been coming here my entire life, and it’s hard to overstate what this place means to everyone at Mushroom,” he said. “As we look ahead, finding the right custodian to carry Dundas Lane’s storied history into its next chapter is incredibly important to us. It will be sad to leave so many memories behind, but we’re excited for what the future might hold for this iconic address.”
The Legacy of Michael Gudinski
Many of the stars Michael Gudinski worked with over the years mourned his death when he died in 2021.
Mushroom Group marked its 50th anniversary in 2023, a year that saw the release of a covers collection called Mushroom: 50 Years of Making Noise, along with a documentary on Michael Gudinski titled Ego, The Michael Gudinski Story. The celebration peaked with a concert at Rod Laver Arena headlined by members of the Mushroom family.
The company’s statement about the building captures the weight of its history: “If the walls could talk, they’d have one hell of a story.”
The Numbers Behind the Sale
- Address: 9 Dundas Lane, Albert Park, Melbourne
- Original location: St Kilda
- Move to Dundas Lane: 1980
- Freehold landholding: 525 sqm
- Building area: Approximately 1,080 sqm
- Main floor space: Approximately 490 sqm*
- Upper-level office and rooftop terrace: Approximately 100 sqm
- Agents: Marshall White, Stonebridge, acting under instructions from Advise Transact
Comparing the Two Addresses
| Feature | Dundas Lane | Little Collins Street |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Inner-south suburb of Albert Park | Melbourne’s East End |
| History | Home of Mushroom Group since 1980 | New headquarters announced earlier this year |
| Character | Former biscuit factory, warehouse proportions | Standalone warehouse-style building |
| Operations | Headquarters for the company’s core operations | Staff and operations across multiple divisions |
A company that has helped shape Australian music for nearly half a century is selling off its assets, and the building in question represents a physical link to that company’s legacy and to Australia’s musical past.
The person who takes over from Matt Gudinski’s excitement for the future is genuine, even as he acknowledges the sadness of leaving. The building’ will have a serious task ahead: preserving the memory of the artists who signed their names on that wall and the promoter who created it.
Anyone keeping up with Australian music will see the sale of Dundas Lane as proof of how much the industry has shifted. The address went from biscuit factory to music powerhouse to landmark building, and its story is worth repeating again and again.
Source material: “After Almost Five Decades, Mushroom Group’s Melbourne HQ Is On The Market,” Billboard.
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