Stone marks historic day in gallery history

A 550 kilogram piece of black granite was unveiled at the site of the HOTA Gallery today, as a symbol of the start of official construction for the $60.5 million gallery.

The foundation stone will eventually be relocated and embedded into the wall of the foyer at the ground level of the gallery entrance.

Mayor Tom Tate said the stone marked the transition from planning to reality.

“It is symbolic of the Gold Coast’s coming of age as the city’s cultural and social economies mature.  We are committed to investing in our cultural future and keeping the city way ahead with signature projects that enrich our cultural and social fabric,’’ he said.

“The precinct is a home for the entire arts and cultural community in our city. It is a place where art and cultural expression can be celebrated.’’

The foundation stone was carved with the text:

THIS GALLERY IS THE ARTISTIC

HEART OF THE CULTURAL

AND CREATIVE LIFE OF THE

GOLD COAST COMMUNITY.

IT SHOWCASES THE VISION, ENERGY

AND TALENT OF OUR PEOPLE,

FOR THE APPRECIATION OF ALL.

THIS STONE SYMBOLISES

THE OFFICIAL START OF OUR

GALLERY CONSTRUCTION

The stone reflects the voronoi design language which connects buildings and areas across the transformed cultural precinct. At 1.5m high and 1.3m wide, it will be installed in the foyer wall by mid-2020 with the building on track to be completed by late 2020, with an early 2021 opening.

HOTA Gallery director Tracy Cooper-Lavery is exploring what exhibitions and opportunities exist as a showcase for opening celebrations at the gallery in early 2021.

HOTA Board Chair Ms Robyn Archer AO said: “Today marks an important moment for arts and culture on the Gold Coast, and in particular for HOTA’s ambition to be a true home of the arts.

“The gallery will take us one step closer to the realisation of a lively cultural precinct where residents and visitors alike can expect to have a great experience whenever they choose to spend time at HOTA.

“Investment in culture is rightly seen as a mark of civil society and it’s great to see a young city like the Gold Coast entering a new mature phase."

Managing contractor Hansen Yuncken will undertake bulk earthworks ahead of the building foundations and piling which start next month.

Gallery construction will generate around 187 direct jobs during construction.

Key gallery features are:

•           Vertical format gallery over six levels;

•           Rooftop experience at 30m above ground providing 270 degree views of the city skyline;

•           Rooftop has room for up to 100 people inside and 70 people on outdoor terrace;

•           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:

o          1000sqm main exhibition gallery with a grand volume of six metre high walls allowing for significant pieces of art to be displayed

o          145sqm children’s gallery

o          900sqm of permanent collection space over three levels within the tower

•           Nearly 1000sqm of collection storage, workspace and crate storage area.

The green bridge to Chevron Island will be completed by Christmas 2019, at a cost of $19.5 million.

Details of the gallery and bridge, including images, are at: www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/HOTAproject

A fly through of the gallery is available for download at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7g5p2eh91zigdu0/AACdMBePR131XFuVy2-0ZNGPa?dl=0