The Andrews Labor Government has revealed striking designs for Australia’s largest art gallery – NGV Contemporary – which will position Victoria as a global arts destination and deliver thousands of jobs to the state.
Promising visitors an unforgettable experience, the dramatic Australian-designed architectural statement at Southbank will include arched entries, an awe-inspiring journey between the building’s levels and an expansive rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of Melbourne’s CBD, parklands and beyond to the Yarra Ranges.
Selected by an eminent jury, the winning design by Angelo Candalepas and Associates will boast 13,000 square metres of display space, crowned with a rooftop sculpture terrace and restaurant.
Candalepas and Associates will lead a collective of 20 Victorian and Australian-based firms with expertise across architecture, design and engineering. The winning design was selected from a shortlist in a two-stage process that began with an open call for submissions from Australian architects and multi-discipline design teams.
Melbourne Arts Precinct will offer new public parklands which unfold from St Kilda Road, Southbank and through to Melbourne’s riverfront – connecting the city’s iconic cultural destinations and enveloping NGV Contemporary.
Larger than the MCG playing surface, the public parkland will be a significant addition to the city’s open space and will incorporate retail and hospitality destinations along with space for events, performances and new public art.
Delivering a globally-recognisable landmark to Melbourne, NGV Contemporary will provide unparalleled exhibition spaces, educational spaces, studios and laboratories for conservation of art work.
More than 11,000 jobs will be created over the life of the project and the gallery will generate hundreds of ongoing creative sector jobs when it opens in 2028.
NGV Contemporary is part of the Labor Government’s landmark $1.7 billion investment in the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation and includes the extensive restoration of the State Theatre.
To see designs, go to ngv.vic.gov.au/ngv-contemporary.
“The NGV Contemporary will be a world-leading gallery – and it’ll be surrounded by green space that connects our community together in new and exciting ways.”
“Residents and visitors will love travelling throughout the precinct’s venues and destinations, enjoying everything from opera to cutting-edge contemporary art, and they’ll feel right at home in the generous new public parklands, cafes and restaurants.”
– Nina Taylor MP
