Work commences on transformation of Melbourne Arts Precinct

Work has officially commenced on transforming the Melbourne Arts Precinct - considered to become Australia's largest arts and culture infrastructure project.

With the Victorian Government investing $1.7 billion, the project includes the new art and design gallery The Fox: NGV Contemporary, an extensive refurbishment of Victoria’s heritage State Theatre, and 18,000 square metres of new public parklands in the heart of Melbourne.

Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation Chief Executive Katrina Sedgwick  notes “The Melbourne Arts Precinct has one of the highest concentrations of arts, cultural and creative organisations in the world, and this multidimensional project will establish the precinct as one of the world’s leading creative and cultural attractions.”

Early works include relocating critical shared utilities and services, as well as site investigations and ground testing.

The works are vital to support the significant refurbishment of the heritage State Theatre, including improved accessibility, upgraded seating and acoustics, places to eat, and state of the art back-of-house facilities such as new rehearsal spaces.

The early works are starting with Art Centre Melbourne’s refurbishment and will continue with the demolition of the CUB building at 77 Southbank, preparing for the build of The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

The transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct will create more than 11,000 jobs over its lifetime and is set to generate hundreds of ongoing creative sector jobs when it is completed in 2028.

Early works on Arts Centre Melbourne will be completed in early 2023, after which main works will begin.

Image: Concept for new The Fox: NGV Contemporary