The Queensland government has released concept imagery for planned upgrades to the Brisbane Showgrounds Main Arena, with the project forming part of a $287.5 million redevelopment of the Bowen Hills showgrounds site ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Currently home to the city’s annual “Ekka” exhibition, the showgrounds is owned and operated by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), who has partnered with Lendlease to deliver the redevelopment. The project includes upgrades and accessibility improvements to the existing 20,000-seat Main Arena, a new Machinery Hill grandstand and a new multi-storey Horse Pavilion. A government spokesperson has confirmed the project architect for the Main Arena is Populous.
RNA CEO Brendan Christou said, “The upgraded Main Arena will strengthen the showgrounds as a destination for major events, entertainment and community life, while allowing us to welcome the world during the [Olympic] Games,and ensure the Ekka remains at the heart of the site for generations to come.”
In 2032, the greater showgrounds precinct will serve as the future Brisbane Athletes Village, accommodating more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and 5,000 during the Paralympic Games. Beyond the Olympics, the 1,800 apartments will be converted into permanent housing.
An announcement in June this year confirmed that BVN is leading the masterplan for the site, while the design of the athlete’s village housing is being led by Woods Bagot, Cottee Parker, DBI and Plus Studio, in collaboration with UK architectural practice Howells.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie commented that the showgrounds redevelopment “is about securing the future of an iconic Queensland institution while creating a world-class precinct for events, entertainment and inner-city living.”
During construction of the project and after completion – with the exception of the Olympics in 2032 – the showground site will remain the location for the Ekka event, the government has said.
“The Ekka’s future is not only secured, it’ll be bigger and better than ever and also able to continue while construction is underway,” Bleijie commented.
RNA CEO Brendan Christou added, “As Queenslanders celebrate 150 years of Ekka this year, this announcement ensures that our iconic and beloved Show remains here, at its birthplace, for another 150 years.”
Early restoration works of two heritage-listed grandstands have already been undertaken, according to the government’s media communique. They anticipate main works on the project, which have been contracted to Hutchinson Builders, will begin in September, starting with the demolition of Machinery Hill.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
