PRODUCED BY INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS AUSTRALIA
Project

Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation

PROJECT STATUS
Awarded
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation (MAPT) project comprises delivery of The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery, upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s heritage Theatres Building and, an 18,000- square metre public urban garden.

The project is being delivered across two packages:

  • The Northern Package includes restoration and upgrades to the ARts Centre Melbourne State Theatre, delivery of two new hospitality spaces in the western and northern facades of the Theatres Building, a new rehersla studio and associated works.
  • The Southern Package includes delivery of The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery

A second phase of the project has previously been announced, including a new Centre for Creativity, a new gallery to house the Australian Performing Arts Collection, and further refurbishments to the Theatres Building including upgrades to the theatre foyers and the renewal of the Playhouse and Fairfax Studio. Further details and funding for Phase Two have not been publicly announced.

Key Dates

Jun 2018 Project Announcement
Dec 2028 Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

Victorian Government

PROJECT HISTORY

Jun 2018 The Victorian Government announced an investment of $208 million over two years towards the first phase of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.
Nov 2020 As part of the 2020-21 Victorian Budget, the Victorian Government announced $1.46 billion in funding towards the first phase of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.
Jun 2021 The Victorian Government announced the establishment of a new entity - the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) – to oversee the Federation Square Civic Space, and public gardens to be delivered under the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.
Nov 2021 The Victorian Government announced an additional $241 million for Phase One of the project, bringing total investment for Phase One to $1.7 billion.
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Social
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Media releases
2020/11/25 - 2020-21 Victorian Budget allocation
2021/06/06 - Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation
2018/06/03 - Project announcement
2021/11/15 - Additional funding
2022/05/16 - Early works contract awarded
Project pages
Creative Victoria
Development Victoria
Major Contract

MAPT - Southern Package

PROJECT STATUS
Awarded
MAPT - Southern Package

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation (MAPT) project comprises delivery of The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery, upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s heritage Theatres Building and, an 18,000- square metre public urban garden.

The MAPT Southern Package includes:

  • The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery, which comprises 30,000 square metre of space, including over 13,000 square metres of art and design display space for exhibition and a rooftop terrace
  • part of the deck structure for Laak Boorndap, and
  • precinct services.

Key Dates

Oct 2023 EOIs Open
Mar 2025 Contract Award
Dec 2025 Expected Construction Commencement

Funding contributions

Private donation - Fox family
Private donation - Ian Potter Foundation

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Development Victoria
Successful Tenderer: Lendlease
Related contracts:
Design of the gallery
Successful Tenderer - Angelo Candalepas and Associates

Design of the public garden
Successful Tenderer - HASSELL and SO-IL

PROJECT HISTORY

Dec 2020 The Ian Potter Foundation donated $20 million to the new NGV Contemporary.
Mar 2022 The National Gallery of Victoria announced that Angelo Candalepas and Associates had been awarded the design contract for the gallery.
Apr 2022 The National Gallery of Victoria has announced that they have received a $100 million donation courtesy of Lindsay Fox AC and Paula Fox AO towards the construction of NGV Contemporary.
Oct 2023 The Victorian Government has opened Expressions of Interest for the main works contract.
Nov 2023 The National Gallery of Victoria announced that deconstruction of 77 Southbank Boulevard – the site of the gallery – has commenced.
Mar 2025 The Victorian Government announced that Lendlease had been awarded the contract to deliver the Southern Package of works.
Sector
Social
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Media releases
2025/03/11 - Contract award
2023/11/11 - Deconstruction of gallery site
2022/03/15 - Design contract award
2022/04/19 - Fox donation
Project pages
The Fox: NGV Contemporary
Major Contract

MAPT - Northern Package

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
MAPT - Northern Package

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation (MAPT) project comprises delivery of The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery, upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s heritage Theatres Building and, an 18,000- square metre public urban garden.

The MAPT Northern Package includes:

  • restoration and upgrades to the Art Centre Melbourne State Theatre for new seating and flooring
  • new lifts, and wheelchair positions in stalls
  • the delivery of two new hospitality spaces in the western and northern facades of the Theatres building
  • expanding the Loading Dock, and
  • building a new rehearsal studio.

Key Dates

Nov 2021 EOIs Open
Apr 2023 Contract Award
2023 Construction Commencement
Dec 2028 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Development Victoria
Successful Tenderer: Lendlease
Related contracts:
Design contract - Theatre Building
Successful Tenderer - NH Architecture and Snøhetta

PROJECT HISTORY

Aug 2018 Arts Centre Melbourne announced that NH Architecture and Snøhetta have been appointed to design the Theatres Building, including addressing specific critical maintenance issues.
Nov 2021 Expressions of Interest opened for the Northern Package, closing on 31 January 2022.
Apr 2023 Lendlease was awarded the contract to deliver the Northern Package of the MAPT project.
Sector
Social
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Media releases
2023/04/28 - Contract award
2018/08/13 - Design contract awarded
Tender notices
Expressions of Interest - Northern Package
Project pages
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation - Arts Centre Melbourne
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