Powerhouse Museum heritage listing guarantees future in Ultimo

The broadening of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo’s heritage listing guarantees that the popular site will remain a museum of applied arts and sciences into the future.  

Powerhouse Museum Ultimo is the custodian of over 500,000 objects across the applied arts and sciences and after years of changing redevelopment plans, the expanded heritage listing locks in the state government's plan for a $300 million refurbishment.

Restoration and construction work is expected to be completed in 2027. The allocated budget for the project of $300 million, sees a $250 million contribution coming from the NSW Government and $50 million through the Powerhouse Museum’s philanthropy campaign.

The change to the precinct's heritage listing means the site must remain exclusively as a museum, preventing any potential sale or commercial development in the future.

The Powerhouse Heritage Revitalisation will make the Museum far more welcoming to visitors. While undertaking needed restoration to the century-old buildings, it will also reorient the Museum’s main entrance to make it more accessible to the public.  A dramatic new garden square will enable entry from the now pedestrianised Darling Harbour Goods Line, providing easy connection with Haymarket, Railway Square, Central Station and other surrounding precincts.

The refurbishment is compatible with the heritage listing and will enable the Museum to present a new and vigorous exhibition program across a wide spectrum of the applied arts and applied sciences.

The previous Liberal state government had initially planned to sell off the site to fund the construction of the Parramatta Powerhouse, but later revised that plan, instead looking to create a mixed use cultural and commercial complex in Ultimo.

That would have included demolishing the curved roofs of the Wran Building, as heritage protection previously only applied to the original power station.

Now, the Wran Building, the Galleria and the Harwood Building will be also protected by heritage laws, safeguarding against any future changes to the redevelopment plans.

Powerhouse Museum Ultimo Chief Executive Lisa Havilah notes “the heritage revitalisation will enable the Powerhouse Museum to continue connecting the communities of NSW with the applied arts and sciences through our iconic collection.

“Once reopened the Powerhouse will have more and vastly improved museum exhibition spaces, circulation spaces that will create a wonderful experience for our audiences and revitalised buildings that will protect and enhance the presentation of the Powerhouse Collection.”

Heritage NSW Executive Director Sam Kidman advised “the expanded heritage listing of the Powerhouse Museum Complex reaffirms its significance as a cultural landmark in NSW. This amendment ensures that the architectural and historical significance of the entire Powerhouse Museum Complex is recognised and protected. An integral part of our state’s cultural and educational heritage, the Powerhouse Museum Complex is, and will continue to be, an iconic cultural institution for the people of NSW.”

The current Labor government is already underway with plans to restore the entire complex, renovate the outdoor spaces, and reorientate the entrance of the building

A Reference Group for Ultimo has been established to ensure the success of the heritage revitalisation project. Chaired by former Wran and Carr Government Minister, Bob Debus, the group serves as an important link between stakeholders, the museum and the project team. It will provide advice on the design and implementation of the revitalisation project and the development of programs for the museum’s reopening.

Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo Heritage Revitalisation Reference Group Chair Bob Debus shared “Across the six buildings that make up the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo, and within the Museum’s 500,000 objects, there is extraordinary heritage. In celebrating and preserving our heritage the Powerhouse Museum also has an obligation to continue to evolve.

“The buildings, curation and programming should continue to reflect contemporary issues, while reflecting on the past.”

The museum said it's now emptied more than 3,000 objects from the Ultimo site, and the government is looking to appoint a builder by the end of the year, and commence work next year.

Restoration and construction work is expected to be completed in 2027.

Image. The Wran Building will be protected by heritage laws, safeguarding against any future changes to the redevelopment plans. (Supplied: Powerhouse Museum)