Major milestone for Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation

Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation (MAPT) has reached a major milestone today, with Lendlease appointed to deliver the first of two major construction packages, including significant Arts Centre Melbourne upgrades.

Development Victoria is proud to be delivering the $1.7 billion transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Australia’s largest ever cultural infrastructure project, on behalf of the Victorian Government through Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria and Creative Victoria.

MAPT will transform Melbourne’s creative precinct, creating 11,000 jobs and establishing creative spaces and a vibrant urban garden in the heart of the city. It is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Lendlease has been managing the early works on the project since July 2022, during which critical shared services were relocated to ensure Arts Centre Melbourne could continue running throughout construction. A concrete and steel terrace at the rear of the building has also been removed, making way for future excavation works to expand the building’s footprint under Sturt Street.

The State Theatre auditorium (under the Spire) will undergo its most significant refurbishment since opening in 1984, providing greater accessibility, new seating and flooring, and other air conditioning improvements to increase audience comfort.

Technology at the theatre will be upgraded with new state-of-the-art lighting, sound system and broadcast infrastructure upgrades – bringing the creative icon into the 21st century.

Improvements will be made to accessibility of the State Theatre, with the addition of new lifts and wheelchair positions in the Stalls. Two new hospitality spaces will be built into the western and northern facades of the Theatres Building, giving visitors more choice for pre- and post-theatre dining.

Back-of-house improvements include an expanded underground Loading Dock, giving the potential for more shows to be staged, and a new rehearsal studio built to the same dimensions as the stage, allowing performers to rehearse and warm up right next to the stage.

Arts Centre Melbourne remains open during works which are due to complete in 2027.