HOTA Gallery works start – with carparks protected

The next stage in the evolution of HOTA is underway, with Mayor Tom Tate today reassuring residents that the city’s green space and carparking capacity at Evandale is protected.

“There will be no overall loss of carparking at HOTA and at the same time, we are protecting open space in these much loved parklands,” he said.

“We all love the outdoors and we love our art and culture. The new gallery combines both, with work starting on reconfiguring the carparking today.

“I can confirm that when HOTA Gallery is completed in late 2020, we will enjoy an additional 3500sqm of green space since we started building the cultural precinct in 2016 and with reconfigurations and these 123 carparks, there will be no overall loss of carparking bays.’’

Managing contractor Hansen Yuncken and Nerang-based Axles Earthmoving and Civil Works will finish the carpark works by January 2019. Hansen Yuncken is the same group which delivered the renowned MONA project in Hobart.

The gallery construction will generate approximately 187 direct jobs during construction.

“The gallery will start to rise from the ground in mid-2019,’’ said Mayor Tate.

“It will become a cultural beacon in the Australian artistic scene and I am looking forward to the City hosting international touring exhibitions when our gallery opens.’’  

Gallery facts:

$60.5 million – funded within Council reserves with no borrowings; Vertical format gallery over six levels;Rooftop experience at 30m above the ground providing 270 degree views of the city skyline and landscape;The rooftop experience has room for up to 100 people inside and 70 people on the outdoor terrace and will have views down to the Outdoor Stage;Ground floor café and foyer opening on to an outdoor terrace one metre above the top lawn of the outdoor stage, offering views across the amphitheatre to the Outdoor Stage; Approximately 2000sqm of AAA-rated exhibition space, including: 1000sqm main exhibition gallery with a grand volume of six metre high walls allowing for significant pieces of art to be displayed145sqm children’s gallery900sqm of permanent collection space over three levels Nearly 1000sqm of collection storage, workspace and crate storage area.

Timeline

Main construction commences:                   mid-2019 Practical completion:                                    end 2020 Official opening:                                           early 2021