Architect firm behind New Acton unveil plans for $750 million Kingston Arts Precinct

Fender Katsalidis, the architects behind Canberra’s NewActon precinct, has signed a contract to lead the design of the mixed-use Kingston Arts Precinct development.

It comes after more than two years since the Melbourne-based firm was announced as the successful tenderers, along with developer Geocon and landscape architects Oculus.

The design of the precinct is set to be distinctive from the rest of the Kingston Foreshore and will take into consideration surrounding heritage buildings such as the Powerhouse and the Fitter’s Workshop. They aim to make the precinct “a hub for artistic enterprise”.

“Kingston Arts Precinct is a significant project that seeks to create a more cohesive and community-focused arts experience in Canberra,” Fender Katsalidis director David Sutherland said.

“Our vision is to consolidate numerous arts organisations into a dedicated precinct that meets and reflects the creativity that each brings to the city of Canberra.

“We have deeply considered the public realm and its relationship with the existing heritage buildings in our plans as these are emblematic within the urban canvas.”

Besides NewActon, Fender Katsalidis has designed office buildings on National Circuit and is leading the design of Geocon’s Republic precinct in Belconnen.

The firm is also behind the renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), in Hobart.

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This week Geocon, along with Fender Katsalidis and Oculus, officially signed an agreement with the ACT government to deliver the project.

The development will cost $750 million, with the ACT government to spend $78 million on the art spaces, which will include Canberra Glassworks, M16 Artspace and Craft ACT.

Geocon director Nick Georgalis said the project “is the most highly anticipated development Geocon has ever set out to achieve”.

“Since becoming preferred tenderer two years ago, we’ve worked closely with the ACT government to create something special at Kingston Foreshore, which will stand the test of time as a world-class precinct,” he said.

“Most importantly for Canberra, this development will be built with the arts community as its focus. It will b a place where big ideas are born, where Canberra’s creative heart can flourish.”

Residential apartments will form part of the precinct, but a spokesman for Geocon could not comment on the number. The first releases are set to hit the market within 12 months.