Lendlease has been selected by Development Victoria as the construction partner for The Fox: NGV Contemporary, which will be the largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design in Australia.
This 30,000-square-metre facility will serve as the centrepiece of the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project, a landmark initiative by the Victorian government.
Designed by Australian architects Angelo Candalepas and Associates, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will feature over 13,000 square metres of display space, including exhibition galleries and a rooftop terrace with a sculpture garden.
The gallery’s architectural highlight will be a dramatic 40-metre-high spherical central hall, offering visitors an immersive experience.
The rooftop terrace will provide expansive views of Melbourne’s skyline and surrounding landscapes.
Construction is scheduled to commence in March 2025.
The project is part of the broader Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, which also includes upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s heritage Theatres Building and the creation of Laak Boorndap, an 18,000-square-metre biodiverse urban garden.
The transformation is expected to generate over 11,000 jobs during construction, with significant opportunities for apprentices, trainees, and cadets.
Bill Alexandrakis, Executive General Manager of Lendlease Victoria Construction, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “Our experienced and collaborative team will work alongside the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Creative Victoria, 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.”
Once complete, The Fox: NGV Contemporary is expected to attract international visitors while boosting opportunities for Victorian artists and designers.
This project underscores Melbourne’s commitment to becoming a global hub for arts and culture.
Lendlease has a long-standing history of delivering iconic cultural projects in Victoria, including the Ian Potter Southbank Centre, Hamer Hall, and Melbourne Recital Centre.
The company is currently redeveloping Arts Centre Melbourne and previously completed early works for the precinct transformation that began in 2022.
