Canberra Theatre Centre Redevelopment

ACT Treasury/ACT Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) 2016-2019 

The Canberra Theatre is now 53 years old and it was the first of its kind in Australia.  We completed a Demand and Options Study for a new 2,000 seat lyric theatre  and a broader range of theatre development options within the precinct context.  We developed 10 detailed budget and attendance option models that project from the current scenario through construction and forward for five full operating years.  These models also provided detailed data in terms of economic and tourism visitation impacts that was used by the team’s economist to produce an Economic Impact Assessment study.  In addition, we have also worked closely with the preliminary design team to develop high level spatial options and functional models.

Proposals for the redevelopment of the Canberra Theatre have been under consideration for many years with significant work undertaken in 2009.  Previous developments have focussed on the replacement of the Canberra Theatre with a 2,000-seat lyric style theatre.  Discussions around programming had also tended to focus on touring musicals being the main driver.  We have been able to facilitate a different approach to the project that has helped progress both feasibility studies and stakeholder support. 

Key innovations include:

• Maintain the 1200 seat Canberra Theatre’s operations through the construction process and then offer a low-cost option to repurpose it as a new contemporary music and events centre.

• Broaden the discussions around the programming mix beyond musicals to include a richer and more sustainable mix.

• Consider the redevelopment more strategically in terms of precinct development.

This project is has now moved to the stage of Full Business Case preparation (KPMG) including Concept Design (ARM Architecture).  Greg continues to connect with the project in an advisory role for the ACT Treasury and as a consultant for ARM Architecture.