Key details
Location
Southbank, Melbourne
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Client
Creative Victoria
Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co)
Project partners
National Gallery Victoria
Arts Centre Melbourne
Contact email
mapt@development.vic.gov.au
Development Victoria is delivering the transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Australia’s largest cultural infrastructure project, on behalf of the Victorian Government through Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria and Creative Victoria.
The $1.7 billion project will transform Melbourne's creative precinct - attracting visitors, creating jobs and establishing creative spaces and Laak Boorndap, a vibrant new urban garden in the heart of the city.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation project will deliver:
- The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery
- Laak Boorndap, a new 18,000 square metre urban garden filled with biodiverse planting, public art and places for rest
- significant upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building (under the Spire)
- better rehearsal facilities to support our performing arts sector
- a new loading dock
- new food and beverage spaces
- more space for outdoor art and performances
- new connections into and through the arts precinct
- improved all-abilities access
The area is of great significance to our First Nation Peoples and we’re talking with and listening to the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, to promote and share their stories about connections to their land.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation Project
Images
Location
The project area is within the Melbourne Arts Precinct in Southbank. Laak Boorndap will connect NGV International, Arts Centre Melbourne and The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Timeline
The Fox: NGV Contemporary design announced
Early works commenced
Major upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building (under the Spire) commenced
77 Southbank Boulevard (site of The Fox: NGV Contemporary) deconstruction
Works inside State Theatre commenced in April
Work on deck structure for Laak Boorndap commenced
Major upgrades to the Theatres Building continue
Construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary commences
Work on Laak Boorndap continue
Major upgrades to the Theatres Building continue
Construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary continue
Work on Laak Boorndap continue
Project complete
Latest news
View allContact information
For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at: mapt@development.vic.gov.au
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Arts Centre Melbourne
As part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s redevelopment, the State Theatre auditorium will undergo its most significant refurbishment since it opened in 1984. The upgrade will provide greater accessibility and new seating, as well as flooring and air-conditioning improvements to increase audience comfort. Technology at the theatre will be upgraded with new state-of-the-art lighting and broadcast infrastructure bringing the theatre into the 21st century.
Upgrades will be made to the back-of-house facilities, including an expanded underground Loading Dock, a new flexible rehearsal space and studio, and an event space.
Two new food and beverage spaces will be built into the western and northern facades of the Theatres Building (under the Spire).
State Theatre upgrades
Contact information
For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at: mapt@development.vic.gov.au
Laak Boorndap
Laak Boorndap is 18,000 square metres of public parkland in the heart of Melbourne, which will connect Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International and The Fox: NGV Contemporary. It will be home to a range of biodiverse plants, creating an ever-changing and seasonal environment for all to enjoy.
Laak Boorndap will be designed by a local and international team, led by Melbourne design practice HASSELL, in partnership with New York’s SO-IL and world-renowned horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough.
Laak Boorndap, a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung name bestowed by Traditional Owner, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Language Elder, Aunty Gail Smith, translates to mean ‘heaven’s beauty’. This name reflects the garden’s ambition to be a stunning new gathering place that celebrates culture and community.
Contact information
For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at: mapt@development.vic.gov.au
The Fox: NGV Contemporary
The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be the largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design in Australia. Once completed, it will comprise of an overall area of 30,000 square metres. Of this, more than 13,000 square metres will be dedicated display space for art and design, including exhibition galleries and an expansive rooftop terrace.
The winning concept design is by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, who will lead a team of Australian, Victorian and Melbourne based firms to design The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Internal works will take place at NGV International to ensure it can continue to operate during the construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Deconstruction of 77 Southbank Boulevard
The former CUB building, located on 77 Southbank Boulevard, has been deconstructed to make way for The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Delta was appointed as the contractor to deconstruct the above-ground building and remove the basement structure. In late 2024 the site was back filled to street level with compacted material.
Visit our resources page to find out more about the deconstruction of 77 Southbank Boulevard.
Contact information
For more information about the project, or to provide feedback please contact us at: mapt@development.vic.gov.au
Project works update
Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International and The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre will remain open for business throughout all the works.
To help us better understand the current noise levels of the project area, we are undertaking acoustic monitoring. The monitoring will involve the use of both hand-held devices and noise monitoring equipment placed in different locations. This data will help us keep noise impacts to a minimum throughout the project.
Read the latest construction updates on our resources page.
Sturt Street traffic changes
Sturt Street is permanently closed to the public between City Road and Southbank Boulevard. This allows us to build the decking structure that will support the 18,000 square metre urban garden, new back of house facilities for Arts Centre Melbourne, and improved shared services for Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International and The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
Arts Centre Melbourne and The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre car parks are still accessible via Kavanagh Street. Only authorised vehicles have access to the Sturt Street loading docks.
This map shows the current public access routes.
Visit our resources page for all the latest construction updates, including the Sturt Street closure.
Works behind Arts Centre Melbourne
Works are continuing inside the hoarding behind Arts Centre Melbourne within the following operating hours.
- Monday to Friday – 7am to 7pm
- Saturday – 8am to 3pm
Noisy works will conclude 30 minutes before matinee performances at Arts Centre Melbourne. Matinee performances typically occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
At times, we may need to work outside of these hours. If night or Sunday works are required, we’ll be in contact with directly impacted residents.
Construction updates
- Construction Update April 2025 PDF, 175.9 kb
- Construction Update March 2025 PDF, 176.4 kb
- Construction Update January 2025 PDF, 177.5 kb
- Construction Update November/December 2024 PDF, 181.6 kb
- Construction Update October 2024 PDF, 783.7 kb
- Construction Update August 2024 PDF, 782.9 kb
- Construction Update June 2024 PDF, 354.4 kb
- Construction Update May 2024 PDF, 347.8 kb
- Construction Update April 2024 PDF, 235.5 kb
- Construction Update May 2025 PDF, 114.9 kb
Resident notification letters
- Out of Hours Works Resident Notification Letter 3 April 2025 PDF, 166.3 kb
- Out of Hours Works Resident Notification Letter 27 March 2025 PDF, 22.7 kb
- Fanning Street Update Resident Notification Letter 7 February 2025 PDF, 341.6 kb
- Out of Hours Works Resident Notification Letter 29 January 2025 PDF, 105.7 kb
- Out of Hours Works Resident Notification Letter 17 January 2025 PDF, 105.7 kb
- Fanning Street Works and December Closure 19 December 2024 PDF, 365.5 kb
- Kavanagh St West Resident Notification Letter 22 November 2024 PDF, 164.9 kb
For Construction updates, Community updates and/or Resident notification letters prior to the ones listed, please contact mapt@development.vic.gov.au
Updated on 01 April 2025