Serpentine glass facade to delay new QPAC theatre by another year

The installation of the intricate glass facade at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s new theatre will take about a year, developer Lendlease has revealed, kicking the already delayed delivery further down the road.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch told state parliament on Thursday there had been a “number of challenges” including major flooding in 2022, several contractor insolvencies, bad weather and global supply chain issues.

Render of the new theatre, currently under construction at QPAC.Credit: Lendlease

“But that doesn’t take away from the fact that as the arts minister, I’m so deeply disappointed for the arts sector that this project has been delayed again,” she said.

“This project, when completed, will make our performing arts centre, our complex, the largest in Australia.”

Brisbane’s 2022 floods had delayed work on the $175 million theatre, currently being built under the working name of the New Performing Arts Venue, pushing its expected opening to the middle of this year.

But, with June just around the corner, the site on the corner of Grey and Russell streets at South Brisbane remained a construction site.

Work under way on the new theatre.Credit: Lendlease

Enoch said the government was working with the company and the department on “the review of any cost implications because of Lendlease’s updated program” in delivering the NPAV.

Lendlease construction managing director David Paterson said, despite the delay, a significant project milestone had been reached. But the tricky part was still to come.

“The project has topped out, which has unlocked significant momentum as we advance into the next construction phase, with installation of the architecturally designed all-glass facade,” Paterson said.

“The complex and precise installation is being expertly managed and once finished marks an important next step in bringing to life this cultural icon for Queenslanders.”

That 2400-square-metre facade, which will comprise 217 curved and straight glass panels, has been designed to reflect the “serpentine shape of the Brisbane River”.

The largest single panel will weigh almost 2.4 tonnes, according to Lendlease, and span three floors.

“The revised completion date reflects a number of challenges that have impacted project delivery including several major subcontractor insolvencies, inclement weather conditions and supply chain pressure and volatility,” Paterson said.

“With the revised program in place and the next major phase of works under way, we’re looking forward to delivering this world-class facility for the city of Brisbane in late 2025.”