The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be a key element of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation at the northern end of Southbank. Images: MAP.
The Victorian Government has awarded the construction contract for The Fox: NGV Contemporary gallery to Lend Lease.
Designed as a key element of the Melbourne Arts Precinct (MAP) Transformation at the northern end of Southbank, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be the largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design in Australia.
The $1.7 billion project includes significant upgrades to the Arts Centre, Melbourne’s Theatres Building, and Laak Boorndap – a new 18,000-square-metre urban garden filled with biodiverse planting, public art and places for rest.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary will cover 30,000 sqm, including more than 13,000 sqm of public space to display contemporary art and design, including exhibition galleries, hospitality and events spaces and a rooftop terrace.
The government says the MAP Transformation is expected to employ 11,000 workers across the life of the project, with almost 550,000 hours of opportunities for cadets, trainees and apprentices.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary is being constructed on the former Carlton & United Breweries building in Southbank Boulevard, 95 per cent of materials from which were diverted from landfill to be reused or recycled.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary is being built on the former Carlton & United Breweries site.
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said the contract award was an exciting milestone for The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
“It’s fantastic to see work starting on site and the role Victorian construction workers, tradies, apprentices, trainees and cadets will play in bringing this city-shaping project to life,” Mr Brooks said.
“The NGV continues to demonstrate the extraordinary appetite for contemporary art in our state, with thousands flocking to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition every day. This new landmark gallery will open up even more opportunities and drawcard experiences for Victorians – and our visitors.”
Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor added: “We’re a step closer to having another world-class cultural institution right on our doorstep, showcasing the south of Melbourne as a vibrant cultural hub that is home to one of the highest concentrations of arts and cultural organisations anywhere in the world.”
Lendlease executive general manager, Victoria, Construction, Bill Alexandrakis said: “Our experienced and collaborative team will work alongside the NGV, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Development Victoria, and the exceptional design team led by Angelo Candalepas to create a celebrated, city-shaping cultural landmark that will create a new global destination for the arts.”
