Six firms to compete in tender process for AU$150m theatre

Last year, the Queensland Government invited expressions of interest to find a principle consultant and sub consultant team for a new AU$150m performing arts venue at Playhouse Green in Brisbane, co-located with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Following an assessment of the 24 eligible submissions, the shortlist has now been announced as follows:

• Snøhetta and Blight Rayner Architecture
• Cox Architecture and Amanda Levete Architects
• ARM Architecture and M3 Architecture
• Richard Kirk Architects and Kerry Hill Architects
• Henning Larsen and Wilson Architects (Architects in Association)

Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch, stated: “All submissions in the EOI process were rigorously assessed by the tender evaluation committee which was led by the Chair, Mr Malcolm Middleton OAM, Queensland Government Architect, against criterion including capability and capacity, relevant experience and local benefits. I’m delighted to see a number of high quality Queensland firms on the shortlist.”

QPAC currently schedules over 1300 performances annually and welcomed a record attendance of 1.5 million people in 2017/18. The new venue will deliver a minimum 1500 seat theatre to meet existing audience and producer demand, offering the potential to host an additional 300,000 visitors each year when fully operational. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “With QPAC nearing full capacity, this new theatre will ensure our state’s four home companies (including Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre) can continue to grow and will enable them to perform in front of audiences that will be double their usual size.”

The shortlisted teams will now participate in a six week competitive tender process, with design concepts guided by the Conservation Management Plan, commissioned by Arts Queensland and developed by heritage consultants in 2017. The announcement of the principal consultant and concept design is expected in mid 2019.

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This competition was first published by TenderStream on 27.11.2018 here

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