The Fox: NGV Contemporary is a step closer to becoming a reality with a head contractor announced to commence works on the Southbank site in the heart of Melbourne's arts precinct.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced Lendlease has been awarded the contract to commence construction for what will be the largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design in Australia.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary is part of the Allan Labor Government's $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation which also includes significant upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne's Theatres Building and Laak Boorndap, a new 18,000 square metre urban garden filled with biodiverse planting, public art and places for rest.
Once complete, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will span 30,000 square metres, with more than 13,000 square metres of public space to display contemporary art and design from Victoria and around the world, including exhibition galleries, hospitality and events spaces and an expansive rooftop terrace.
The work Lendlease will undertake also includes part of the deck structure for Laak Boorndap and precinct services.
The city-shaping Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project is expected to employ 11,000 workers across the life of the project, including career-launching opportunities for those just starting out.
Almost 550,000 hours of opportunities will be provided to cadets, trainees and apprentices throughout the project, with more than 34,000 hours already worked.
In preparation for The Fox: NGV Contemporary, the former Carlton United Breweries building on Southbank Boulevard was deconstructed in 2024 and 95 per cent of materials were diverted from landfill to be reused or recycled.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation is a Labor Government project, delivered by Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), Creative Victoria and Development Victoria, in partnership with National Gallery of Victoria and Arts Centre Melbourne. Find out more at artsprecinct.melbourne.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"This is an exciting milestone for The Fox: NGV Contemporary, the transformation of our arts precinct and for the future of Australia's cultural capital and creative state."
"It's fantastic to see work starting on site and the role Victorian construction workers, tradies, apprentices, trainees and cadets will play in bringing this city-shaping project to life."
"The NGV continues to demonstrate the extraordinary appetite for contemporary art in our state, with thousands flocking to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition every day. This new landmark gallery will open up even more opportunities and drawcard experiences for Victorians - and our visitors."
As stated by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"By combining art and apprenticeships, we're giving apprentices the hands-on experiences and opportunities they need to build successful careers with secure, high paid jobs."
As stated by Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor
"We're a step closer to having another world class cultural institution right on our doorstep, showcasing the south of Melbourne as a vibrant cultural hub that is home to one of the highest concentrations of arts and cultural organisations anywhere in the world."
As stated by MAP Co Director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick
"This is a hugely significant milestone for the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project and brings us another step closer to realising this extraordinary vision."
As stated by NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM
"The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be the premier institution in Australia for audiences to experience, learn and enjoy ground-breaking new work by contemporary practitioners in Victoria's own purpose-built, state-of-the-art gallery."
As stated by Lendlease Executive General Manager, Victoria, Construction, Bill Alexandrakis
"Our experienced and collaborative team will work alongside the NGV, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Development Victoria, and the exceptional design team led by Angelo Candalepas to create a celebrated, city-shaping cultural landmark that will create a new global destination for the arts."
