Historic Royal Exhibition Building will be protected from development DEVELOPMENT around the Royal Exhibition Building will be kept in check under a State Government plan to protect the iconic structure. Planning Minister Matthew Guy has approved a master plan for the building and the surrounding Carlton Gardens to comply with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed status of the site. Mr Guy said this would involve detailed conservation policies to ensure that local, state, national and international heritage values were protected. In most great cities there is one building that sums up its spirit and history. In Melbourne this is the Royal Exhibiton Building," he said. This is the kind of area that will be protected to say, 'you can't build over or tower in the gardens and the buildings.' Built in 1880 to host the Melbourne International Exhibition, the building was the seat of the first federal Parliament and was used as a venue for the 1956 Olympics. It is the only surviving example of a great hall from a major international exhibition that is still used for its original purpose. The architect was Joseph Reed, who also designed the Melbourne Town Hall and the State Library of Victoria. Reed's vision for the dome was inspired by Florence Cathedral, while the main pavilions were influenced by several buildings in Normandy, Caen and Paris. "The Royal Exhibition Building with its soaring dome is a significant landmark in the Melbourne skyline," said the master plan. It is a leading icon in promotional literature for the state and city. The building was included in the World Heritage register in 2004. Mr Guy said that the recognition had required him to appoint a steering committee to come up with a management plan, including seeking public feedback. The approved plan will now be sent to the Federal Government to pass on to UNESCO authorities.