Redevelopment concept designs and three-year closure announced for Powerhouse Ultiimo

Alongside the NSW Government releasing the concept designs for the revitalisation of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo this week, the Government has also announced a three year closure of the museum during the reorientation project.

Powerhouse Ultimo has always struggled with its orientation, facing towards a major city artery with constant traffic flow, making car and pedestrian access challenging.

The concept designs revealed this week show that key to the site’s redevelopment is an orientation affording an improved connection with Sydney’s CBD, and the pedestrian green belt of the Goods Line – the walkway connecting Central Station and Haymarket.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will also be reorientated to provide a new outdoor public square, more indoor exhibition space and show off the heritage facades of the original power station built in 1899.

The concept designs follow the NSW Government’s announcement in September 2023 that a proposed $500 million redevelopment would be scrapped. The new concept designs for the preferred “heritage revitalisation” of the cultural attraction are to be delivered at half the cost - $250 million.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo heritage revitalisation design scheme has been developed by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, proven design innovators and authors of some of Australia’s most remarkable buildings, partnering with Architectus and landscape architects Tyrell Studio.

The building will be closed from 5th February 2024 for an estimated period of three years for building works.

In a statement the Museum advised “The temporary closure will ensure the best use of funds, focusing investment into the revitalisation. A staggered closure would amplify the cost of the project, extend the disruption period and lead to a compromised visitor experience over a prolonged period.”

As part of the proposed design, the heritage façades of the original power station, built in 1899, will be revealed, and the 1901 Post Office building located on Harris Street will be preserved and further integrated into the Museum precinct.

NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham notes “After nine years of divided opinions on this site, we are hopeful these new designs and a renewed focus on applied arts and sciences are more in line with the community’s expectations of this much-loved institution.”

The Museum has given assurances that the new design for Ultimo allows for the continued display of popular exhibits – the Boulton & Watt steam engine, the Catalina flying boat Frigate Bird II and Locomotive Number 1.

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah added “this new concept plan will expand our ability to present international exhibitions and expand our learning and industry programs. We thank the NSW Government for this transformative investment into the future of our much-loved museum and look forward to delivering an exceptional outcome for the communities of NSW.

“The concept design includes the Powerhouse Academy, which will offer increased levels of access for secondary and tertiary students from regional NSW and beyond, providing immersive learning experiences that enable pathways into industry and tertiary learning.”

This program offers accommodation for regional NSW schoolchildren to visit the Museum, in a major new partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), which allows Collection-based learning. The much-needed facelift continues with expanded exhibition space of international touring standards.

The NSW Government has committed $250 million to the project, which will be led by Infrastructure NSW. Havilah advised that, additional to this funding “Powerhouse Museum Ultimo [is] adopting a $50 million philanthropy target. We have already secured $10 million towards this through a partnership with UTS.”

The next step is a State Significant Development application and further community consultation on this week’s tabled design. The commencement of construction – and its completion – is dependant on this final consultation period.

Powerhouse Ultimo joins Powerhouse Parramatta, Powerhouse Castle Hill and Sydney Observatory as part of a $1.4 billion infrastructure renewal program across multiple sites.