Head construction contractor announced for Melbourne’s NGV Contemporary art gallery

The Victorian Government has awarded Lendlease the contract to commence construction on Melbourne’s 'The Fox: NGV Contemporary' – anticipated to be the largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design in Australia.

This follows the early works contract having been awarded to Lendlease in May 2022 for the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation. Beginning in June and continuing into 2023, the early works saw the relocation of critical shared utilities and services to ensure continued operation of NGV and Arts Centre Melbourne during construction. Preliminary works also included site investigations and ground testing. In preparation for The Fox: NGV Contemporary, the former Carlton United Breweries building on Southbank Boulevard was deconstructed in 2024 and 95% of materials were diverted from landfill to be reused or recycled.

The work Lendlease will undertake also includes part of the deck structure for Laak Boorndap and precinct services.

Lendlease Executive General Manager, Victoria, Construction, Bill Alexandrakis advised “our experienced and collaborative team will work alongside the NGV, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Development Victoria, and the exceptional design team led by Angelo Candalepas to create a celebrated, city-shaping cultural landmark that will create a new global destination for the arts.”

The Fox: NGV Contemporary is located on the Southbank site in the heart of Melbourne’s arts precinct and is part of the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation which also includes significant upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building and Laak Boorndap, a new 18,000 square metre urban garden filled with biodiverse planting, public art and places for rest.

Once complete, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will span 30,000 square metres, with more than 13,000 square metres of public space to display contemporary art and design from Victoria and around the world, including exhibition galleries, hospitality and events spaces and an expansive rooftop terrace.

NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM shared “The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be the premier institution in Australia for audiences to experience, learn and enjoy ground-breaking new work by contemporary practitioners in Victoria’s own purpose-built, state-of-the-art gallery.”

MAP Co Director and Chief Executive Katrina Sedgwick added “tis is a hugely significant milestone for the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project and brings us another step closer to realising this extraordinary vision.”

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation is being delivered by Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), Creative Victoria and Development Victoria, in partnership with National Gallery of Victoria and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks enthused “this is an exciting milestone for The Fox: NGV Contemporary, the transformation of our arts precinct and for the future of Australia’s cultural capital and creative state.

“The NGV continues to demonstrate the extraordinary appetite for contemporary art in our state, with thousands flocking to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition every day. This new landmark gallery will open up even more opportunities and drawcard experiences for Victorians – and our visitors.”

Find out more at artsprecinct.melbourne.