UTAS sets stage for Hobart’s city art to swell

THE University of Tasmania’s gradual move into the Hobart CBD is gaining pace.

Stage set for Hobart’s city art to swell

THE University of Tasmania’s gradual move into the Hobart CBD is gaining pace as it lodges a development application for a world-class performing arts centre in Campbell St.

Plans for the $90 million Academy for Creative Industries and Performing Arts have now been lodged with the Hobart City Council, after the State Government last month agreed to provide the final $15 million needed to build the academy.

MORE: STATE CHIPS IN $15M TO BUILD UTAS ARTS ACADEMY

Early works at the site, including archaeological investigations, partial demolition of the heritage-listed Hedberg Garage, decontamination and excavations began in September last year.

The development aims to create a high quality and internationally recognised performance venue and learning centre for the performing arts.

An artist’s impression of the ACIPA building by night.

Key components of the integrated centre include a studio theatre, recital hall and education spaces.

Designed by Liminal Architecture in conjunction with Singaporean architects WOHA and Sydney planners Arup, the project will also encompass an upgraded Theatre Royal, a new Conservatorium of Music, and the Creative Exchange Institute –– a new research institute with a focus on performance, design and creativity.

“The consolidation of these performance spaces with a teaching space creates a world-class entertainment precinct, which will invigorate and enliven both the Wapping precinct and Hobart city as a whole,” says a report prepared by local planners Ireneinc and Smithstreet Studio.

The new building will be connected to the Theatre Royal by a glass feature, separating old from new.

The planned ACIPA building development viewed from Campbell St.

Upgrades to the theatre would include a new public entrance, expanded bars and toilet facilities, replacing the ageing Backspace Theatre with a purpose-built studio theatre, a new ticketing and cloakroom area and a suite of modern dressing rooms.

In a letter of support accompanying the development application, Theatre Royal chairman Craig Stephens praised the proposal.

“In the board’s view, the new facilities will ensure the theatre’s patron and production infrastructure is of a standard that will enable it to continue to deliver a world-class performing arts program,” he wrote.

The target completion date for the project is semester one, 2018.

The Mercury revealed last month UTAS is planning to move its science, technology, engineering and maths research and training facilities into the CBD, on the corner of Argyle and Melville streets.

MORE: UTAS EXPANDS CBD FOOTPRINT

The site is close to the university’s $65 million, 15-storey student accommodation development under construction on the corner of Elizabeth and Melville streets.

Other university buildings already in the city include the Centre for Arts in Hunter St, the waterfront Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Medical Sciences buildings 1 and 2, and the Domain campus.