Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s centre of arts and culture is soon to be bolstered with a new performing arts facility being built in the city’s eastern suburbs.
Kane Constructions started work in November 2021 on the new performing arts centre, being built by Whitehorse City Council on the site of the former Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading.
The facility will be a place for the whole community to participate in arts and cultural activities. It will be a home for Whitehorse’s diverse creative community to flourish.
“The new centre will bring to fruition Whitehorse City Council’s vision to build a modern theatre, festival and function centre that is welcoming, flexible and accessible to all,” Whitehorse Mayor Cr Tina Liu said.
“Arts and culture contribute positively to community health and wellbeing, community vibrancy, people’s sense of place and belonging, and to the economic prosperity of the City of Whitehorse.
“That’s why we are making this important strategic investment for all current and future Whitehorse residents.”
During the construction phase and beyond, the project will generate about 320 jobs, directly and indirectly.
Being built on the site of the former Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading, the centre has been designed to be a place where people can be entertained, connect and socialise, learn new skills and come together to celebrate as a community.
From large-scale theatrical performances to intimate shows and concerts, this unique facility will also offer a festival stage playing out to a natural amphitheatre. It is destined to earn a special place in the hearts of seasoned artists and patrons, and welcome new members of the wider community.
Designed by BKK Architects and Kerstin Thompson Architects, key features will include: 626-seat auditorium, 200-seat studio theatre, multipurpose rehearsal/dance studio, multipurpose function space, large soundshell and amphitheatre for community events and festivals and 430+ parking spaces nearby.
BKK Architects Principal George Huon describes the project as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to design an enduring asset for the whole community.
“The building contains a range of diverse functions; each space has its own identity while being part of a cohesive whole,” George said.
“The centre is designed to accommodate smaller human-scaled moments, places for people to meet, and then open up for some surprising ‘wow’ moments.”
The new performing arts centre will join other Council-owned facilities, such as the Box Hill Community Arts Centre and Town Hall, Whitehorse Artspace and Nunawading Community Hub, in providing diverse opportunities for the people of Whitehorse to enjoy and participate in arts and culture.
It will also strengthen a proud tradition of artistic endeavour in the Whitehorse area, the birthplace of Impressionism in Australia in the 1880s.
The Whitehorse performing arts centre is being constructed by Kane Constructions, with completion expected in late 2023.
