The $300 million project will renew the iconic 146-year-old cultural institution by creating new and improved exhibition spaces, reorientating the museum to connect with Sydney CBD, providing a major new public square at the northern end of The Goods Line, and conserving and restoring the original heritage of the site.
The project will exhibit Design Excellence across the built form and public domain, making it a contemporary facility with a variety of exhibition spaces that have been designed to meet international museum standards. The revitalisation project will retain the distinctive roof form of the Wran building.
With planning approval now in place, a contract to deliver the project designed by Durbach Block Jaggers in partnership with Architectus, Youssofzay + Hart and landscape architects Tyrell Studio, is expected to be awarded shortly to enable construction to start mid-year.
Three contractors - John Holland Group, Lendlease and Richard Crookes Construction - were invited to tender for the project in August 2024 following an open Expression of Interest.
In November 2024, site establishment works commenced and are expected to wrap up in the coming months.
The revitalisation is expected to inject approximately $225 million into the local economy, create around 755 direct jobs during construction and support over 200 direct and indirect jobs when the museum re-opens.
The State Significant Development Application was exhibited in May 2024 and then again in September 2024 following the expansion of the State Heritage listing, which provides long-term protections for the site's continuation as a museum of applied arts and sciences.
