Works Begin On Melbourne Arts Precinct

The Victorian Government has announced a key step in the delivery of the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation with early works set to start.

The early works contract has been awarded to Lendlease and will deliver more than 100 jobs in just the preliminary stage of the project, laying essential groundwork ahead of major construction next year.

Beginning in June and continuing into 2023, the early works will see the relocation of critical shared utilities and services to ensure continued operation of NGV and Arts Centre Melbourne during construction.

Preliminary works will also include site investigations and ground testing.

The $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation will deliver new cafes, restaurants and 18,000 square metres of new public parklands in the heart of Melbourne.

The project also includes extensive refurbishment of Victoria’s State Theatre and creation of the project centrepiece The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

The works are vital to support the significant refurbishment of the State Theatre, which will include improved accessibility and acoustics, new hospitality destinations and upgraded back-of-house facilities including new rehearsal spaces and loading docks for larger productions.

Refurbishment of the State Theatre will also include important works on the building’s uniquely engineered foundation and basement structure.

More than 11,000 jobs will be created over the life of the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation and the reimagined precinct will generate hundreds of ongoing creative sector jobs when it opens in 2028.

Development Victoria is proud to be the delivery agency for the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project, Australia’s largest ever cultural infrastructure project.

We are working closely on behalf of Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) who will take responsibility of the new open space as well as Federation Square.