Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest surviving from the Great Exhibition era that is still operating as an exhibition hall. In 2004 the Royal Exhibition Building became the first building in Australia to be awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status.
It is located in the Carlton Gardens, flanked by Victoria, Carlton and Rathdowne Streets, at the north-eastern edge of the central business district. It sits adjacent to the Melbourne Museum and is the largest item in Museum Victoria's collection. Trade fairs and public expos are often held at the Royal Exhibition Building annually.
Throughout the 20th century smaller sections and wings of the building were subject to demolition and fire; however, the main building, known as the Great Hall, survived.
