Melbourne to Build Australia's Largest Art District with NGV Contemporary

Melbourne is set to create Australia's largest art district through a government investment of 1.4 billion Australian dollars (870 million euros). The centerpiece is NGVContemporary, a new 30,000-square-meter museum at 77 Southbank Blvd, doubling the size of Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. The project is part of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Stage, which will also include an 18,000-square-meter park designed by Hassell and SO – IL, while NH Architecture and Snøhetta will redevelop the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatre. The initiative is expected to create over 5,000 local construction jobs and boost tourism. The architect for NGVContemporary will be selected through a public competition open only to Australian firms, announced in the coming weeks. Tony Ellwood, director of the National Gallery of Victoria, stated that NGVContemporary will be a dynamic cultural hub showcasing Australian and international art, design, and architecture. The NGV, founded in 1861, currently operates two venues: the historic St. Kilda Road building and the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square.