Design teams shortlisted for new Queensland Performing Arts Centre theatre

A $150 million new theatre for Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one step closer, with the announcement today of a shortlist of firms that will participate in a design competition.

The shortlisted design teams are: Blight Rayner Architecture, Cox Architecture, M3 Architecture / ARM Architecture, Richard Kirk Architects and Wilson Architects.

Following an Expression of Interests process, these five shortlisted consultants will now go on to develop concept designs for the new 1500-seat theatre, with the successful applicant to be announced later this year.

Advising that QPAC is the busiest theatre complex in Australia, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated "with QPAC nearing full capacity, this new theatre will ensure our state’s four home companies - including Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre - can continue to grow and will enable them to perform in front of audiences that will be double their usual size.

“In 2018 our Government committed $125 million towards the new theatre to help Queensland keep attracting bigger shows and more visitors.

“This is the biggest investment in arts infrastructure since the Gallery of Modern Art and will further boost our state’s cultural vibrancy and support and showcase our local arts sector.”

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said 24 eligible Expressions of Interest (EOI) were received from some of the most experienced architectural consultants globally.

Minister ENoch advised “this is a testament to the significance and profile of this project.

“Today’s announcement of the shortlist marks another important step for the new venue, which will further Queensland’s artistic talent and increase our ability to tell unique and important stories for this and future generations."

Queensland Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad said the new theatre would be a wonderful addition to the internationally-recognised Queensland Cultural Centre, which already attracts millions of visitors every year, going on to state "the new theatre will make QPAC Australia’s largest performing arts centre, with the potential to host an extra 300,000 visitors each year when fully operational.

“People come from across the state and the country to our community of South Brisbane to visit QPAC and this new theatre will make it even bigger and better."

All submissions in the EOI process were rigorously assessed by the tender evaluation committee which was led by the Chair, Mr Malcolm Middleton OAM, Queensland Government Architect, against criterion including capability and capacity, relevant experience and local benefits.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas (above) said this was an important and meaningful milestone for the new theatre project, concluding "the volume of interest expressed in the theatre design and visioning of Australia’s largest performing arts venue demonstrates tremendous support for the vital role this Centre plays both locally and internationally."

The development on the Heritage Listed Queensland Cultural Centre, will be guided by the Conservation Management Plan to ensure the character and heritage value of the site is retained.