Major redevelopment of Sydney Harbourside Arts Precinct begins

Work on Stage One of the redevelopment of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct on Sydney Harbour is set to begin with the NSW Government having signed a contract with Richard Crookes Constructions.

Demolition will begin immediately, with hoardings and environmental controls now being set up around Walsh Bay Wharf 4/5 in preparation for the start of work.

Announcing the start of construction project on the harbour front  precinct, NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin advised “Walsh Bay has been put on the map thanks to the work of some of our leading performing arts companies and it is exciting to be able to enter this next stage in turning our vision for a world-class Arts Precinct into a reality.

“Once complete we will double the arts and cultural offering at Walsh Bay as well as helping transform the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Theatre for Young People.

“We are hugely excited to be able to house the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Bell Shakespeare at Walsh Bay.”

Expected to cost more than $200 million, the refurbished premises at the historic wharf area are expected to host major performing arts groups such as the Sydney Theatre Company, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia Choirs as well as offer extensive retail space and public facilities by 2020.

Sydney Theatre Company Executive Director Patrick McIntyre added “we are very excited about the future of Walsh Bay as one of the world’s most distinctive cultural precincts, and we can’t wait to get back into our refurbished premises at The Wharf.

“The development brings together the evocative maritime history of Sydney, including the existing heritage buildings, with state of the art facilities providing new opportunities in NSW for engagement between artists, audiences and visitors.”

The NSW based firm, Richard Crookes Construction, has a track record in delivering a range of NSW Government projects across the health, education and justice sectors.

The Walsh Bay Wharves were constructed in the 1920s and are considered the main features of the redevelopment aimed at restoring the area’s industrial character and creating new and enhanced facilities in support of arts and culture.

For more information on the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct redevelopment go to www.create.nsw.gov.au/cultural-infrastructure/completion-of-the-walsh-bay-arts-precinct

Source Ausleisure