Cox Architecture chosen to lead design of Hobart’s AFL stadium

May 9, 2024

Culture / Government / Sport / Venues /

Following a competitive market testing process, Australian firm Cox Architecture has been named as the lead design consultant for Hobart’s new AFL stadium.

Appointed by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC), Cox is well placed to deliver designs for the venue having designed Perth’s Optus Stadium, the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Allianz Stadium in Sydney and the redesign of the Adelaide Oval.

Given the Tasmanian Government has committed to keeping the budget for the venue at $715 million, the economic design of the Queensland Country Bank Stadium is likely to serve as a model for the venue.

Cox Director Alastair Richardson expressed confidence that the budget will be adhered to.

While the stadium does not yet have a finalised concept design, Richardson says the design will likely be different to early mock-ups released by the Tasmanian Government and the AFL.

Richardson said the early renders “give some clues of what we don't want to do.

"This building needs to be scaled, transparent, open, something that actually has an engagement with the city and not a concrete wall, sort of blocking off its access."

Richardson said told the ABC that he is confident the final design would be "respectful to the grain of Hobart as a whole", noting “one of the key things we want to do is to really make sure that this engages with the streetscape, that this engages with people walking around, and obviously is respectful to the Cenotaph in terms of how it sits just below the escarpment.”

With MPDC having previously said a stadium design concept would be ready by the middle of this year, MPDC Chief Executive, Anne Beach advised “the team includes local Tasmanian architectural firm Cumulus Studio, and specialist engineers and technicians, including AECOM, local experts Cova, Aldanmark, and Pitt & Sherry, as well as international partner Schlaich Bergermann Partners (SBP), who brings experience in world-leading designs such as SoFI Stadium in California.

“This partnership brings national and international expertise and excellence, which will not only deliver this exciting development, but leave a lasting legacy in our local industry.”

Earlier this week, the opposition Tasmanian Labor Party announced that it would be supporting the proposed stadium, having previously highlighted a series of objections to the project.

Images: The early concept for the new Hobart Stadium (top, credit: AFL/Infrastructure Tasmania) and Cox Architecture's Queensland Country Bank Stadium (below).

8th May 2024 - Private capital firm confirms interest in funding Hobart’s planned AFL stadium

7th May 2024 - Tasmanian opposition changes stance to support Hobart stadium plan

22nd February 2024 - AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon firm on Hobart Stadium requirement for new Tasmanian team

19th March 2024 - AFL launches colours, logo and guernsey for new Tasmania Devils teams

15th February 2024 - Tasmanian Premier makes election pledge to limit state government’s contribution to new Hobart Stadium at $375 million

31st January 2024 - Hobart City Council reaches agreement with Stadia Precinct Consortia on Macquarie Point Stadium 2.0

11th December 2023 - Tasmanian Government launches community consultation for Hobart Stadium project

9th November 2023 - Plans for new Hobart stadium reach major milestone

18th October 2023 - Private consortium reveals alternative concept for Hobart’s AFL Stadium

16th October 2023 - Draft plan released for Hobart’s AFL stadium precinct

6th September 2023 - Controversial Hobart AFL stadium could generate $226 million a year for Tasmanian economy

22nd May 2023 - Tasmanian Government releases detail of deal with AFL for Hobart Stadium

20th May 2023 - AFL Chief Executive warns Tasmanian objectors ‘no expansion team without new Hobart Stadium’

13th May 2023 - Thousands rally in Hobart in ‘Stop the Stadium’ protest

3rd May 2023 - Gillon McLachlan confirms entry of Tasmanian teams into AFL and AFLW competitions

29th April 2023 - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces $300 million funding for new Tasmanian stadia

23rd December 2022 - Tasmania Government presents business case for new Hobart stadium

1st December 2022 - COX Architecture appointed as lead consultant for Perth Cultural Centre rejuvenation

3rd June 2020 - Cox Architecture’s work at Sydney Coliseum secures Interior Design Award

19th September 2019 - Cox Architecture and Hassell sued by builder over work at Perth’s Optus Stadium

12th October 2018 - Cox Architecture announced as winning designer for new Sydney Football Stadium

4th February 2017 - Cox Architecture to lead redevelopment of Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre

20th December 2016 - Cox Architecture design announced for new $250 million Townsville Stadium

19th September 2016 - Cox Architecture reveals Rod Laver Arena redevelopment designs

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.