About us

Little Malop Street Redevelopment

Geelong Arts Centre’s striking new campus design

We’re transforming the Little Malop Street building to create the largest regional arts centre in Australia with a unique design that reflects Geelong’s history, culture and creativity. Funded by the Victorian Government, the Little Malop Street Redevelopment will significantly expand the capacity of Geelong Arts Centre, providing a 550-seat theatre, a 250-seat theatre, an atrium, more dining options, a new Box Office, and new back-of-house and administration facilities.

Dedicated to delivering on a bold future for a clever and creative Geelong, the remarkable design brings together elements drawn from the history of the Geelong, the traditions of circus and theatre, and the strong and continuing First Nations culture and connection to Country. 

The Little Malop Street Redevelopment will create around 600 construction jobs and more than 300 ongoing local jobs in the tourism and service industries. Work will be completed in 2023.

Our Design

The Team

Principal Architect Little Malop Street Redevelopment - Exterior

The Architects

ARM Architecture

ARM Architecture has been appointed as the Principal Architect for the next stage of the Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment project, the $140 million Little Malop Street Redevelopment.

ARM Architecture has an international reputation for making places that are uplifting, memorable and beyond visitors’ expectations. The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, also on Little Malop Street, is a stunning example of their work and their commitment to creating landmark and beautiful architecture in Geelong.

The project design team includes ARM Architecture in collaboration with Umow Lai as service engineers and Bonacci Group, structural and civil engineering services as well as theatre consultants Charcoalblue and acousticians Hanson Associates.

Managing Contractor 20210810-August Construction Photography-88.jpg crane

The Builders

Lendlease

We are delighted that the Victorian Government has announced the appointment of Lendlease to deliver the $140 million Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment.

Lendlease’s ‘Geelong First’ commitment will put local partnerships, skills and innovation at the heart of the project. It will ensure that local suppliers and tradespeople are invited to tender on works packages throughout construction, including local social enterprises.

Lendlease will participate in the GROW initiative that works to reduce unemployment and promote the social prosperity of the region.

Lendlease has a long history of delivering major cultural projects throughout Australia, including Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Theatre Company and University of Melbourne’s Ian Potter Southbank Centre.

The Artists Web - GeelongArtsCentreFeb2022  - 091.jpg

THE ARTISTS

Little Malop Street Redevelopment First Nations Featured Artists

One of the most exciting design elements of Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment is the presentation of specially commissioned artworks within the building's spaces by four extraordinary First Nations artists

In a collection of captivating videos, Wadwaurrung artist Kait James and First Nations artists Gerard Black, Tarryn Love and Mick Ryan take us into their creative workspaces to reveal the stories behind their unique artworks which will be part of the fabric of the new Geelong Arts Centre.

In this video collection, viewers will hear directly from the artists and artist mentor Kiri Tawhai as they share personal stories about their connection to Country, their inspiration, their influences, as well as the fabrication journey to present these works.