Redevelopment Construction

 

Construction of the The Round is well advanced and is expected to be completed in late 2023.

Construction progress

Council is proud to announce that construction of Whitehorse’s new performing arts centre, The Round, is complete.  

This $78m project represents a significant step forward in the City of Whitehorse’s artistic evolution. It is also the new cornerstone of Council’s commitment to provide for a creative community that is vibrant, diverse and engaged through our arts, culture and heritage.  

Parking and access

Parking is available via the open double storey car park, which is accessible from Humphreys Avenue. 

Download the current parking and access plan ( PDF 5.53MB). 

Demolition of the Whitehorse Centre

Before demolition, items of historical and sentimental value were carefully removed - ready to be used in the new performing arts centre.

Watch the demolition of the Whitehorse Centre. It is now ready for the next exciting stage - the construction of the double storey car park.

 

Construction of the Open Double Storey Car Park

Below is a video showing the construction of the open double-storey car park. The car park adds 203 car spaces to the civic precinct and is now open to the public to use, free of charge.  

Construction Management

All contractors are required to put in place a Construction Management Plan to minimise the potential impacts of works, such as noise, dust and vibration, and operate within Environment Protection Authority standards.  

When needed, traffic management will be used to ensure community safety and minimise potential disruption to local traffic flow. 

Neighbouring residents and precinct stakeholders will be kept informed of activities throughout the construction period.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team on whitehorsecentre.redevelopment@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or 9262 6165.

Construction Gallery

November 2023

 

 

The Round has now officially opened. If you would like to see this fantastic space be sure to book a ticket to a show via our What's On or even come for a free Venue Tour. 

October 2023

The Round’s 626-seat theatre, equipped with fully-accessible seating, is the pinnacle of performing arts technology in an intimate and unforgettable space.  

The modern back-of-house facilities, amenities and technical systems are designed to bring awe-inspiring productions to life. The theatre’s features include: 

• State-of-the-art sound and lighting technology, including a hearing augmentation system. 
• Motorised orchestra pit for 28 musicians.  
• modern dressing rooms and a green room.  
• a production office, stage door office and large loading dock. 
• a semi-automated hybrid theatre fly rigging system. 

The 203-seat Studio has a retractable seating bank, allowing for a range of different configurations from theatre style to cabaret or cocktail.  

The Studio features a large upstage window which can provide bright natural light for events. The space can also be fully blacked out, making it ideal for movie screenings, comedy, music, award nights, dance rehearsals and small-scale theatre productions.  

The Studio is also cleverly designed to open to the outdoor Soundshell and amphitheatre, allowing it to be the stage for Whitehorse’s wonderful festival season.  

The Round’s Function Centre is a stylish, bright, and versatile space with multiple configurations to accommodate a wide range of events. This can include corporate meetings and wedding receptions to multi-day conferences, private parties, and everything in between.  

With gorgeous views overlooking a tranquil parkland setting, beautifully designed finishings inside and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, the Function Centre provides the perfect backdrop for any event.  

The Round is also home to new Creative Spaces – two studios with a dedicated entrance, allowing them to function independently of the whole venue.  

The studios feature wooden sprung floors, natural daylight, access to change facilities and all-gender bathrooms. Our Creative Spaces will be ideal for dance, rehearsals, workshops, small events and classes of all varieties. 

Featuring a lush design with elegant seating options overlooking beautiful parkland, your pre-show or interval visit to The Round Bar is sure to be a memorable experience.   

Indulge in a variety of award-winning wines, premium sparkling beverages, local craft beers, non-alcoholic options and an exclusive cocktail menu, seasonally curated by bar specialists.  

On weekdays, The Round Bar transforms into a café during the day, serving barista-made coffee, toasties and fresh pastries with a smile.

September 2023

The Round has generated over 320 jobs both directly and indirectly throughout its construction. 

During the construction of The Round we spoke to Liam Frazer and James Forsyth about how the project has impacted and inspired their careers as well as what it means to them to have worked on this landmark development.

Construction of Whitehorse’s new performing arts centre - The Round - is in its final stages as staff put the finishing touches on this landmark venue for the Whitehorse community.  

The Round team has been working tirelessly to ensure the state-of-the-art facility is ready to welcome our community home, with the first performances to grace the stage later this month.  

The Round’s technical team is deep into a commissioning period, thoroughly testing and fine tuning all equipment to ensure a premier audience experience.   

Meanwhile, The Round’s front-of-house and box office staff are getting ready to deliver a warm, welcoming service and a friendly face for all visitors.  

July 2023

The Round will incorporate historical elements from the former Whitehorse Centre. These include the Bicentenary Leadlight Mural, theatre seats, and two, time capsules.

The Bicentenary Leadlight Mural, unveiled in 1988, has undergone repairs and will be displayed in the new building's main entrance. 

The legacy pieces hold significance for The Round, the Whitehorse City Council, and the region's residents who have shared in the history.

September - October 2022

June - August 2022 

Construction of your new home of performing arts is on track for expected completion in the second half of 2023.

The concrete phase is in the final stages, construction of the flytower (the large volume of space above the stage where scenery and sometimes people are flown) is advanced and the structural steel phase is underway.

April 2022 - May 2022

Concrete precast panel walls were fixed in place across the building footprint in April. 

Extending inwards from the distinctive curved wall of the 626-seat main theatre are the concrete slabs for the stage and back of house facilities, including the green room, dressing room and loading dock. 

The large square-shaped area will become the 200-seat studio theatre which cleverly opens onto the soundshell stage overlooking the naturally occurring grassed amphitheatre. 

February - March 2022

Large cranes, weighing up to 250 tonnes each, came on site in mid-February and will undertake specialist work on the building structure until September 2022. A total of 287 precast concrete wall panels, 62 concrete support columns and large trusses will be installed across the building footprint during this time. The panels weigh up to 10 tonnes each and the steel trusses weigh up to 15 tonnes each.

December 2021 - January 2022 

A main drain running north to south through the site was excavated and stormwater pipes installed. The drainage system is supported by a large detention basin that’s been created in the north-west corner of the site. The basin will capture excess runoff and filter the water before it goes into the main stormwater system. 

While the drainage works were happening, a large piling rig drilled deep holes for the structure piles. More than 220 concrete piles have been installed across the building footprint to provide a strong foundation for the performing arts centre structure.

Current Whitehorse Mayor Cr Tina Liu visited the site late January to view construction progress first hand.

 

November 2021 

The turning of the sod on 5 November 2021 by former Whitehorse Mayor Cr Andrew Munroe marked the start of construction of the Whitehorse performing arts centre.

The sod turning was preceded by a smoking ceremony performed by Uncle Ringo of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people to cleanse the land ahead of the construction program. 

At the ceremony Joint Managing Director Kane Constructions Richard Frisina said his company was excited to be delivering what will be a leading, high quality performing arts and cultural facility for the Whitehorse community.

During the next few weeks, Kane Constructions set up on site and started preliminary earth works.