Northern Territory Government releases tender for construction of the State Square Art Gallery

The Northern Territory has released a significant Future Tender Opportunity (FTO) to deliver both the construction of the State Square Art Gallery, and also the remaining elements of the Civic and State Square redevelopment. The total scope of work will depend on the ongoing performance of the Contractor and will be worth up to $145 million.

The new State Square art gallery has been designed by Darwin practice Ashford Architects with Clare Design and Hully Liveris.

Part of the wider development of Darwin’s CBD funded through a 10-year city deal with the federal government, the gallery will be located on the former Juror’s carpark adjacent to the Supreme Court on Smith Street.

The Future Tender Opportunity will bring together the final elements of the redevelopment, with the design and construction of the remainder of the precinct, including State Square Art Gallery, the central heart, pedestrian sheltered walkways, artwork, interpretation and wayfinding within the precinct, shading, landscaping and water features.

The tender will be released in the coming months, in the form of an Early Contractor Involvement contract which will significantly progress the remaining parts of the Civil and State Square Master Plan.

Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler advises “we are committed to delivering the Civic and State Square Masterplan project, transforming Darwin’s CBD into an attractive, green and cool centre befitting of Northern Australia’s capital.

“A number of key elements are already delivered, including the State Square Underground Carpark, the Chan Building Demolition and the transformation of bitumen carpark to an interconnected green space for festivals and public parkland. The Liberty Square design tender is currently out to market.

“Issuing of this Future Tender Opportunity enables industry to plan for the future and know there are jobs on the horizon. This is one way we are supporting the Northern Territory through COVID-19.

The Masterplan was completed in 2019, with work already underway and completed on a number of the infrastructure projects including:

• Demolition and greening of the Chan Building site;

• Completion of the State Square underground carpark;

• Completion of the redevelopment of the former 90 bay Parliamentary car park to create public parkland and festival lawns;

• State Square Art Gallery – detailed design nearing completion; and

• Liberty Square – design tender currently out to market.

Bringing together all the elements of the masterplan in one contract will provide seamless integration of the different stages of the works and better management of the staging of works over the coming few years of delivery.

To view the tender visit tendersonline.nt.gov.au/