In May 2018, the Queensland Government announced it would invest in the delivery of a new theatre on the Playhouse Green site co-located with and operated by QPAC. 

Construction of the new theatre for Queensland has begun and when completed will deliver a minimum 1500-capacity state-of-the-art theatre for Queensland.

The $175 million theatre will be transformational, creating the largest performing arts centre in Australia, with five outstanding venues, and when fully operational has the potential to welcome an additional 300,000 visitors per year.

In May 2019, the Queensland Government announced Blight Rayner + Snøhetta as the successful Principal Consultant design team for the new theatre at QPAC. Drawing inspiration from the Brisbane River as an important meeting place for telling stories, the concept design respects the heritage listed Queensland Cultural Centre while creating a new place with its own identity.

Key design features of the project include:

• an iconic rippled glass facade
• transparent foyer spaces
• a single balcony auditorium delivering enhanced audience sight line
• provision for additional studio spaces under the theatre’s auditorium
• significant First Nations artwork in the external entry forecourt.

Design of the new theatre has been guided by the Conservation Management Plan, commissioned by Arts Queensland and developed by heritage consultants in 2017.

Lendlease, as Managing Contractor for the project, began early preparatory work in early March 2020 for the new theatre at the Playhouse Green site. This included installation of vibration monitoring and service relocation works. 

In April 2020, work began to support the integration of a new theatre into the existing QPAC structure to enable a seamless connection.

Bulk excavation work was undertaken in September 2020, ahead of piling work to support the new theatre’s foundations in October 2020.

From October 2020 until completion of theatre construction, changed traffic conditions and pedestrian access are in place near the site. Russell Street has been closed to general traffic during construction hours (Monday to Saturday 6am to 6.30pm) since February 2021 to enable construction and this arrangement will be in place until the project is completed.