The Queensland government is seeking expressions of interest for a principal design consultant for a $150 million new performing arts venue in Brisbane.

The minimum 1,500-seat venue will be co-located with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and will be constructed on the Playhouse Green site on the corner of Grey and Russell streets.

In May, the Queensland government announced it would contribute $125 million over four years toward the project. “A national design competition would be undertaken to deliver an outstanding architectural solution for the new theatre,” the premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at the time.

The expression of interest documents state, “Demolition of part of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s existing fabric may be required to provide the appropriate dimensions for the new theatre.”

The theatre would be the new home of the Queensland Ballet, having outgrown the 850-seat Playhouse Theatre, as well as support Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre by providing access across five QPAC venues.

QPAC is part of a collection of buildings, the Queensland Culture Centre, originally designed by Robin Gibson and Partners and opened in 1985.

The expression of interest documents state, “Demolition of part of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s existing fabric may be required to provide the appropriate dimensions for the new theatre.

“A high-quality design that is sympathetic both internally and externally to the existing original architectural intent, yet contributes as a distinct structure for the precinct, will be a key project objective.”

Expressions of interest will close on 14 December. Shortlisted principal design consultants will be invited to a design tender, which will close in March 2019. The principal design consultant will be announced in April and the concept design will be released in June. The project is due for completion in 2022.

For more information and to submit, click here.