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Redevelopment concept designs and three-year closure announced for Powerhouse Ultiimo

Redevelopment concept designs and three-year closure announced for Powerhouse Ultiimo
December 5, 2023

Alongside the NSW Government releasing the concept designs for the revitalisation of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo this week, the Government has also announced a three year closure of the museum during the reorientation project.

Powerhouse Ultimo has always struggled with its orientation, facing towards a major city artery with constant traffic flow, making car and pedestrian access challenging.

The concept designs revealed this week show that key to the site’s redevelopment is an orientation affording an improved connection with Sydney’s CBD, and the pedestrian green belt of the Goods Line – the walkway connecting Central Station and Haymarket.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo will also be reorientated to provide a new outdoor public square, more indoor exhibition space and show off the heritage facades of the original power station built in 1899.

The concept designs follow the NSW Government’s announcement in September 2023 that a proposed $500 million redevelopment would be scrapped. The new concept designs for the preferred “heritage revitalisation” of the cultural attraction are to be delivered at half the cost - $250 million.

The Powerhouse Museum Ultimo heritage revitalisation design scheme has been developed by Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, proven design innovators and authors of some of Australia’s most remarkable buildings, partnering with Architectus and landscape architects Tyrell Studio.

The building will be closed from 5th February 2024 for an estimated period of three years for building works.

In a statement the Museum advised “The temporary closure will ensure the best use of funds, focusing investment into the revitalisation. A staggered closure would amplify the cost of the project, extend the disruption period and lead to a compromised visitor experience over a prolonged period.”

As part of the proposed design, the heritage façades of the original power station, built in 1899, will be revealed, and the 1901 Post Office building located on Harris Street will be preserved and further integrated into the Museum precinct.

NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham notes “After nine years of divided opinions on this site, we are hopeful these new designs and a renewed focus on applied arts and sciences are more in line with the community’s expectations of this much-loved institution.”

The Museum has given assurances that the new design for Ultimo allows for the continued display of popular exhibits – the Boulton & Watt steam engine, the Catalina flying boat Frigate Bird II and Locomotive Number 1.

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah added “this new concept plan will expand our ability to present international exhibitions and expand our learning and industry programs. We thank the NSW Government for this transformative investment into the future of our much-loved museum and look forward to delivering an exceptional outcome for the communities of NSW.

“The concept design includes the Powerhouse Academy, which will offer increased levels of access for secondary and tertiary students from regional NSW and beyond, providing immersive learning experiences that enable pathways into industry and tertiary learning.”

This program offers accommodation for regional NSW schoolchildren to visit the Museum, in a major new partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), which allows Collection-based learning. The much-needed facelift continues with expanded exhibition space of international touring standards.

The NSW Government has committed $250 million to the project, which will be led by Infrastructure NSW. Havilah advised that, additional to this funding “Powerhouse Museum Ultimo [is] adopting a $50 million philanthropy target. We have already secured $10 million towards this through a partnership with UTS.”

The next step is a State Significant Development application and further community consultation on this week’s tabled design. The commencement of construction – and its completion – is dependant on this final consultation period.

Powerhouse Ultimo joins Powerhouse Parramatta, Powerhouse Castle Hill and Sydney Observatory as part of a $1.4 billion infrastructure renewal program across multiple sites.

Related Articles

2nd September 2023 - NSW Government scraps $500 million redevelopment plan for Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum

13th August 2023 - Powerhouse Museum unveils new ‘Atmospheric’ sensory experience

5th August 2023 - Powerhouse Museum’s next exhibition to feature ‘1001 Remarkable Objects’

3rd October 2022 - Powerhouse Ultimo reveals details of major Carla Zampatti survey exhibition

9th September 2022 - Five Australian architectural teams shortlisted for Powerhouse Ultimo design competition

21st June 2022 - Brisbane Powerhouse unveils four new major outdoor events

12th April 2022 - Powerhouse Parramatta secures $10 million investment from Holdmark Property Group

12th April 2022 - Casula Powerhouse supports night-time economy

17th February 2022 - Powerhouse Parramatta welcomes $5 million investment by Vitocco family

19th November 2021 - Powerhouse Museum exhibits ancient stone figures for the first time outside of Korea

22nd October 2021 - Powerhouse Parramatta receives $30 million donation to deliver STEM education experiences

17th August 2021 - Powerhouse Museum announces appoint of Mark Wilsdon to new Chief Operating Officer role

16th June 2021 - $480 million to transform Sydney’s Powerhouse Ultimo into design and fashion precinct

20th May 2021 - Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum announces inaugural Director, First Nations

4th May 2021 - Powerhouse Museum announces major exhibition on history of the Eucalypt

13th February 2021 - NSW Government gives planning consent for new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta

3rd November 2020 - Powerhouse Museum expands support of NSW Creatives with 2020 Residency Program

22nd September 2020 - Powerhouse Museum partners with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research

5th July 2020 - NSW Government reverses plans to relocate Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum

29th June 2020 - Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum continues tours and extends exhibitions

29th May 2020 - City of Parramatta urges NSW Government to deliver on relocating Powerhouse Museum

8th April 2020 - Casula Powerhouse delivers free online programs


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