q arts: ARTS CENTRE EXPANSION
Major milestone achieved for Arts Centre Melbourne expansion
Deep underground
work to upgrade
and expand Arts
Centre Melbourne’s
iconic Spire-topped
Theatres Building
has reached an
important milestone,
as part of the Victorian
Government’s city-
shaping Melbourne
Arts Precinct
Transformation.
Enough to fill six
Olympic swimming
pools, the excavation
behind the Theatres
Building is now
complete.
The excavation has seen the removal of 15,644m3 of earth and has reached the intended depth of
approximately 14 metres underground. The additional space created by the basement extension will
be used for:
- An expanded Loading Dock – twice the size of the current dock, with two new scenery truck
lifts, improving efficiency and safety when bumping-in performances, and allowing for more
performances to be staged
- A new, flexible Rehearsal Space and Studio (the same size as the State Theatre stage), with an
adjoining Function Room that gives a sneak peek inside the space
- A new accessible Stage Door
- The extension of the basement area increases the overall size of the Theatres Building by around
16 per cent
In addition to the basement extension, other essential works happening to the Theatres Building
include:
- Upgrades inside the State Theatre with improvements to accessibility, acoustics, theatre
technology and audience comfort
- Replacing some of the ageing anode wells in the Cathodic Protection System, located in the State
Theatre construction zone. Replacing these helps to safeguard the foundation of the building.
- New and improved places to drink and dine
The Theatres Building turns 41 this October, and the much-loved State Theatre is estimated to have
entertained and enthralled more than 20 million audience members during its first 40 years.
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan AM said the works would benefit every future production
staged in the Theatres Building.
“Crews will be able to bring sets, costumes and equipment into the building more safely and
efficiently, and performers will have a new rehearsal space right next to the State Theatre stage for
the first time. The refurbishment will bring the State Theatre to 21st century standards, while restoring
its heritage features for the next generation of artists and audiences,” said Quinlan.