The building later occupied by Carlton Moviehouse was first opened in 1909 for Carlton Trades Club to use as a hall and meeting rooms. It was then used as a billiard hall before being left vacant until 1921 when Samuel Weisberg purchased the building for $2000. It was turned into a Jewish club until 1924 when it was opened as a cinema seating 616.[1]
The cinema was originally known as Carlton Picture Palace and screened silent films with an orchestra.[2] In 1979, the McClelland family stopped operating it and it was taken over and renamed Carlton Moviehouse,[1][3] though was known to patrons as the Bughouse.[2] It screened avant-garde films, became popular with university students,[2] and was at one time the home of the Melbourne University Film Society and used for the Melbourne International Film Festival.[4][5]
The cinema only seated 250 when it closed in 1999.[1] At the time, several new cinemas had opened, such as the nearby Cinema Nova that had five screens, while the Carlton Moviehouse had only one,[6] and was no longer profitable.[7]
Throughout its history, the cinema retained its original silent screen, thought to be the only one remaining in Melbourne when it closed in 1999. It was flanked by a mural painting featuring Native American motifs. The building, that occupies the entirety of its 292-square-metre site, retained its original 1909 facade, with minor changes made when it was converted into a cinema.[1]
Following the cinemas closure, the building became a travel agency.[8] In 2014, the building was sold for $3.5 million and "gutted" to become a retail space.[9]
