large numbers of immigrants (principally from Mediterranean Europe) settled in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, including Fitzroy. Among them, there were many Italians, who in turn imported espresso machines and established the foundations of Melbourne's café culture. For some decades, the suburb of Fitzroy was a working-class area of low rents and cheap shops. This area began to attract students, artists, and bohemians. The T. F. Much Ballroom commenced in Cathedral Hall (now called Central Hall, just opposite St Vincents Hospital, in Brunswick Street, in 1970. The T. F. Much was the heart of Melbourne's music scene and saw stand out performances by Daddy Cool, Spectrum (and Murtceps), Carson, Capt Matchbox as well as several of Joe Camilleri's earlier incarnations. In the 1980s, 3RRR established its studios in Victoria Street, off Brunswick Street, the Punters Club established itself as a significant live music venue, as did the Evelyn Hotel, and independent record shop PolyEster Records opened. These businesses cemented Brunswick Street's status as a nexus of Melbourne's indie music and post punk/new-wave subcultures, which in turn drew in waves of suburban tourists in their teens and 20s. Brunswick Street also served as the home base for integral techno/electronic label/promoter IF? Records, from 1994 to 2001. Gentrification was not long in following, though the economic recession of the 1990s slowed it somewhat. One by one, the few remaining regular shops closed and were replaced by cafés, fashion boutiques, and bars, a shift that has played a large role in Fitzroy being named one of the most unique neighbourhoods in the world in 2016. The Punters Club closed in 2002, and 3RRR has relocated further out to Brunswick. From the start of the 21st century, Brunswick Street has become home to artisans, young professionals, and baby boomers with retirement savings. Road classification Brunswick Street was signed as Metropolitan Route 45 between Fitzroy and Fitzroy North, in 1989, continuing north along St. Georges Road. The passing of the Road Management Act 2004 granted the responsibility of overall management and development of Victoria's major arterial roads to VicRoads: in 2004, VicRoads re-declared the road as Brunswick Street (Arterial #5114), from St. Georges Road to Alexandra Parade through Fitzroy, the remainder of the road to Victoria Parade remains undeclared. In popular culture Helen Garner's novel Monkey Grip (1977) featured locations set in and around Brunswick Street, including the Fitzroy Swimming Pool on Alexandra Parade. Brunswick