MCEC expansion gets official opening

The expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which offers a 25% increase in event space, has been officially opened this morning by acting Victorian Premier James Merlino.

The $205 million expansion adds 20,000 metre² to the venue, increasing its total size to 70,000 metre², making it Australia’s largest convention and exhibition space.

The centre piece of the expansion is the Goldfields Theatre, a 9,000 metre² multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1000 seat theatre. Other spaces include new exhibition halls; Eureka meeting rooms; outdoor terrace area; Sovereign Room banquet space; and Goldfields Café and Bar.

It also includes a $150 million commercial development by Plenary Group and its partners, which includes a new 347-room Novotel Melbourne South Wharf and a new 1150-space multi-level car park – all fully connected and integrated with existing buildings.

Construction commenced in June 2016, with around 700 workers and up to 60 apprentices employed on-site, including local contractors such as Wantirna-based Camatic Seating who used more than 5 tonnes of recyclable plastic to produce the MCEC seats.

Commenting on the new venue, acting Premier Merlino advised “we’re investing more in major projects than any government in Victoria’s history – building infrastructure that creates jobs, grows our economy and makes Victoria the most liveable city in the world.

“This world class facility is functional, adaptable and spectacular – and will provide a major boost to our city and our state.”

MCEC Chief Executive Peter King added “we have delivered a world class facility that is functional, adaptable and aesthetically pleasing with a quality and sophistication that reflects the attributes of Melbourne.”

The expansion is part of a larger South Wharf expansion project by Plenary Group and its partners.

Plenary Group Chairman John O’Rourke said the project will increase business and tourism activity in the precinct, concluding “we planned for this expansion when designing the Melbourne Convention Centre a decade ago, so it is great to be finally realising what we envisioned.”

The National Sports Convention, running from 16th to 18th July, is one of the first events being held at the expanded venue.

Images: Entrance area of the MCEC expansion (top) and the Goldfields Theatre - which features a retractable 1000 seat theatre (below).

6th July 2018 - VENUE EXPANSION KEEPS MCEC AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVENT TECHNOLOGY

19th February 2018 - MCEC LOOKS FORWARD TO CLEANER AND GREENER FUTURE

13th September 2017 - VENUES AROUND THE WORLD MAKE INCREASING USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

24th July 2017 - MCEC ANNOUNCES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE RECORD-BREAKING YEAR 

8th July 2017 - MCEC CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO AIPC BOARD 

7th July 2017 - FORMER VICTORIAN PREMIER JOHN BRUMBY TO CHAIR MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION TRUST

3rd May 2017 - MCEC SECURES TWO MAJOR ACCOLADES AT MEA AWARDS 

20th December 2016 - MCEC APPOINTS NEW SENIOR MANAGER OF OPERATIONS 

30th May 2016 - MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TO BENEFIT FROM $205 MILLION EXPANSION 

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