The NSW Government will redevelop the existing Powerhouse Ultimo. The museum will be reorientated to connect with the CBD, provide a new outdoor public square, more indoor exhibition space, and revitalise the 1988 Wran Building.
The scope includes:
- new and upgraded exhibition spaces to international museum standards to support the ongoing operation of the museum
- improving accessibility throughout the museum and precinct to meet current standards
- retaining and revitalising the 1988 Wran building
- conserving and restoring the original heritage fabric of the Ultimo Power Station built in 1899 and the Turbine Hall from 1902, and further integrating the 1901 Post Office on Harris Street
- reorienting the museum’s main entrance to face The Goods Line, maximising use of this popular pedestrian link and improving access to public transport
- a major new landscaped public domain accessible from The Goods Line and Macarthur Street
- a new café accessible from the forecourt and a new rooftop terrace
- a purpose-built space to support the Powerhouse Academy learning program, and
- upgrades of the Harris Street frontage, with industry spaces and recreational spaces to enhance the museum’s contribution to the streetscape and Ultimo community.
The State Significant Development Application includes the Ultimo Power Station, Wran building, the former Post Office, Boiler House and Turbine Hall. The Harwood building is not included in the scope of the revitalisation.
The original scope included the demolition of a number of heritage listed buildings and had a cost of $481 million. The updated design has a smaller scope and a lower cost.
The project will form part of the Powerhouse Renewal, which will also include the delivery of the new Powerhouse Parramatta and the expansion of the Museums Discovery Centre in Castle Hill.
Key Dates
| Jul 2020 | Project Announcement |
| May 2024 | EOIs Open |
| Aug 2024 | Shortlist Announced |
| 2025 | Expected Contract Award |
Funding contributions
| NSW Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Infrastructure NSW |
| Shortlist: | John Holland, Lendlease, and Richard Crookes Construction. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2015 | The NSW Government announced plans to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta. The initial plan was to sell the Powerhouse Ultimo for up to $195 million, with the proceeds to be contributed towards the cost of building the new museum at Parramatta. |
| Jul 2020 | The NSW Government announced that the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo will remain open and operate alongside the planned New Powerhouse Museum in Western Sydney. The NSW Government had previously planned to sell the current site at Ultimo for up to $195 million, with the proceeds to be contributed towards the cost of building the new museum at Parramatta. |
| Jun 2021 | The NSW Government announced funding to transform the existing Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo into a design and fashion focused institution. |
| Jun 2021 | Planning for a design competition to deliver the Powerhouse Ultimo Renewal commenced, with Create Infrastructure and Powerhouse Museum leading the process. |
| Jun 2021 | The 2021-22 NSW Budget allocated $166 million over the four years to FY2024-25 towards Powerhouse Ultimo. |
| Jul 2022 | The NSW Government released an Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the future Design Competition for the project, closing on 12 August 2022. |
| Sep 2022 | The NSW Government announced a shortlist for the Design Competition to renew Powerhouse Ultimo. The shortlist includes: - Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa and Yerrabingin submitting under the working title SPARK. - BVN and Oculus with OCP Architects, TTW, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Transsolar Klima Engineering. - Cox Architecture, Neeson Murcutt Neille, Other Architects, Hector Abrahams Architects, Sue Barnsley Design and Arup. - John Wardle Architects, Billy Maynard, ASPECT Studios, Bangawarra, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Atelier Ten and Urbis. - Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, JMD Design, TCL, Sibling Architecture, Freeman Ryan Design, Atelier Ten. |
| Dec 2022 | The NSW Government announced a team comprising Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup was chosen as the successful design for the project. |
| Feb 2023 | The NSW Minister for Planning granted Powerhouse Ultimo the final consents needed for development. |
| Sep 2023 | NSW Government announces it will not commence with the planned $481 million redevelopment of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. |
| Dec 2023 | NSW Government reveals revised concept design scheme for $250 million heritage revitalisation of Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. |
| Feb 2024 | Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo closed operations for an expected period of three years, with a construction manager expected to be appointed and construction to commence by the end of 2024. The total cost of the redevelopment was increased from $250 million to $300 million. The NSW Government indicated it had not yet completed its application for the project to be declared a State Significant Development. The government sought feedback on the revised plans for redevelopment, closing on 25 February. |
| May 2024 | The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project was published and placed on public exhibition until 30 May 2024. |
| May 2024 | Infrastructure NSW opened Expressions of Interest for the delivery of the Powerhouse Museum Revitalisation. The project will be delivered via a Design and Construct contract, with EOIs closing on 21 June. |
| Aug 2024 | The NSW Government announced the shortlist for the Design and Construct contract for the project. Shortlisted applicants are John Holland, Lendlease and Richard Crookes Construction. |
| Nov 2024 | The NSW Government announced the early works contract for the project has been awarded to Demolition Environmental Civil Contractors. Early works commenced immediately, with early works also commencing in November. The NSW Government also announced that the main works contract is expected to be awarded in early 2025. |
| Mar 2025 | The project received planning approval from the NSW Government. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Social
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New South Wales |
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