Prepare to get cultured AF, Sydneysiders. The City of Sydney is looking set to approve a a development application for a brand spanking new $32million art and performance space in Chippendale.
Billionaire philanthropist and noted arts patron Judith Neilson is spearheading the project, slated to be built on a site currently occupied by a derelict warehouse, which will feature a multi-level art gallery and expansive performance space, which is planned to be separated by a garden designed specifically for the space by conceptual artist Janet Laurence.
The plans call for the building to rise up above surrounding terrace houses – exceeding the current height limits – which the council has agreed to and signed off on. In addition, three basement levels will be dug into the foundations – a car park, a backstage area, and additional floor space for the gallery. The plans also call for a pair of apartments, designed to be used by visiting artists.
The facility will be erected a mere matter of metres away from Neilson’s established Sydney art institution, the White Rabbit Gallery.
The $32million price tag for the facility will come directly from Neilson, and will push her “official” overall contribution towards art facilities in the country above the $70million price tag reportedly fronted by David Walsh for the construction of Hobart’s famed MONA.
The gallery is reportedly set to be called Phoenix, and has secured permission to operate from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, with a slated capacity of 260 people.
Though it won’t be quite as expansive as the MONA facilities are, it does represent another huge coup for Sydney’s art culture, and is expected to increase tourism, as well as house some of the globe’s most revered modern art installations.
Photo: Cameron Spencer via Getty Images.
via SMH.
