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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 6 July 2009 GREEN LIGHT FOR STUNNING REDEVELOPMENT OF MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART The NSW Government has given planning approval for the $50 million redevelopment of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), on George Street in Circular Quay.
Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said the NSW Government has already committed $10 million to the project, which will create 250 jobs and rejuvenate a Sydney tourism drawcard.
“The redevelopment of the Museum of Contemporary Art will breathe new life into Australia’s leading contemporary art gallery,” Ms Keneally said.
“The approved plan includes redevelopment of the existing building and an extension which will increase the floor space at the MCA by about 50 per cent to over 16,700 square metres.
“The approval is the product of an extensive assessment process which focused on achieving an exceptional level of design for a building that is, after all, a centre for Australia’s finest contemporary art.
“The NSW Government approval, together with the $10 million we have allocated to the project, will go a long way toward progressing a world class art space for our world class city.”
Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Liz Ann Macgregor, said the approval will allow the MCA to continue in its role as a leading arts destination in Sydney.
“We are delighted that our plans for this important and complex site, which come out of a long process of collaboration with Sydney architect Sam Marshall and consultation with interested stakeholders, have achieved this milestone,” Ms Macgregor said.
“As the numbers visiting the Museum continue to break records, this expansion is essential. This investment in creative education and teacher training facilities will put the MCA at the forefront of world class arts education delivery though leading edge technology.
“Even in this difficult global financial climate, the Museum of Contemporary Art has already received pledges of over $16 million towards the redevelopment.
“Together with the $10 million from the State Government and another $1 million pledged by the City of Sydney, we are already more than half way towards turning this plan into a reality.”
Ms Keneally said a Design Advisory Panel of architects and an artist were also appointed by the MCA to advise on the design and ensure the proposal achieves a high standard of built form and design.
“The Panel provided considerable input into the proposal, which aims to provide a contemporary and complementary contrast with the existing MCA building,” Ms Keneally said.
Ms Keneally said the six-storey extension to the north of the existing MCA building will convert the museum’s current car park and loading dock and deliver:
• A continuous public foyer and entry joining George Street to West Circular Quay; • Improved gallery and educational spaces, including a lecture theatre; • An improved undercover loading and storage area; and • A new café.
In the existing MCA building, improvements will include:
• The extension of terraces on the first level for enlarged and improved outdoor seating areas; • Remodeling of the existing café in Foundation Hall and new retail tenancies along the existing George Street frontage, with refurbished office spaces; • Additional gallery space and rooftop venue space; and • Conversion of Level 6 to new commercial tenancies.
Ms Keneally said the proponent was also required to submit a detailed public domain plan, to provide:
• New zones for public meeting and recreation; • Opportunities for public events and gatherings; • Opportunities for public education through interpretation of the site’s heritage significance; • A mix of hard paving and grassed areas with new seating and shaded areas; and • Public art and other displays.
Ms Keneally said a number of changes had been made to the proposal in response to comments received during the public exhibition period.
“The amended plan includes a five-level transparent glass façade connecting the two buildings, which will minimise impacts of the new addition on the existing sandstone structure,” Ms Keneally said.
“Amendments to the elevation and height of sections of the roof and the George Street frontage will better integrate the extension with the existing building.
“I am satisfied this redevelopment will enhance the building itself and complement one of Australia’s most important sites, Sydney Harbour.”
Ms Keneally said the existing MCA building is of local heritage significance. It contains archaeological deposits relating to the Colonial dockyards which will be preserved as part of the approved project.
As a condition of approval, the MCA will prepare and implement a heritage management plan to mitigate impacts on any archeological remnants and the existing building during construction.
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