Creative hub Metro Arts has proposed a refurbishment to its heritage-listed CBD venue located at 109 Edward Street, Brisbane City.
The non-profit organisation which provides adaptable artist studios, rehearsal and theatre spaces will undergo a two staged development to modernise facilities as well as activate a laneway and area at the rear of the building.
The proposed development involves the following:
- New theatre bar and foyer area
- New cafe and restaurant activities at the rear of the building which involves containers to house food and drink
- Replacement of original lift cart within the building with a modern lift (the original lift cart is proposed to be reused in the new works at the rear of the building)
- Demolition of non-original parts of the building (including timber structures at the rear of the main building)
- Demolition to create a new opening in the side of the building to allow access to the new theatre foyer area from the private laneway
- Outdoor lighting directed towards the rear facade of the building
- New building work and fitout works to facilitate the proposed redevelopment
The development is intended to activate the currently underutilised laneway from Edward Street and the area behind the Metro Arts theatre building.
It is proposed to undertake the development in two stages. Stage one will include the works associated with the new theatre foyer and bar as well as a single level of food and drink outlets at the rear of the building.
All partial demolition works will occur as part of Stage one. Stage two will involve a second level of food and drink outlets at the rear of the building.
The ‘front of house’ bar, foyer and laneway have been designed by Blight Rayner, while the ‘back of house’ area at the rear of the Metro Arts theatre building has been designed by Jasper Brown Architects.
The DA number for this development is A004635558.
