Creating a Better RPAC
Creating better experiences for our guests... Exciting forecourt redevelopment announced
The RPAC Forecourt Redevelopment Project is set to commence in December 2024 with local Construction Management Company Baroque Group being awarded the contract to create the transformation.
The upgrade has been made possible through a $3 million funding commitment in the 2024–2025 Redland City Council Budget.
This redevelopment will dramatically improve the customer and visitor experience for the 60,000 plus people who attend performances and events at RPAC annually. It will also provide an incredible entry moment into the RPAC facility and better linkage to the Cleveland CBD.
The forecourt redesign includes a revitalised entrance, a covered alfresco area, permanent seating, a small outdoor performance deck, improved levels for accessibility, increased lighting, new ramp and stair access, garden areas, and infrastructure in the forecourt.
Detailed designs were prepared by local project management and engineering consultancy company xburo and Anna O’Gorman Architects through previous funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program in the 2023-2024 financial year.
Baroque Group now have the exciting job of bringing these designs to life and will continue to work with Anna O’Gorman Architects throughout the delivery of this project.
While the building works take place, our rich program of performances and events will continue. Safety will remain of paramount importance, so please take note of any communications and signage that will direct you when attending events at RPAC.
There will be a short period of time in Phase 1 of the work where access to the front of the venue will not be possible. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to turn things around and give our loyal guests a completely different view of RPAC, as you go behind-the-scenes and enjoy a series of intimate ‘Stage Door Sessions’. Details of this up-close series of performances on the Concert Hall stage will be available on the RPAC website soon.
During phase 1, the RPAC Box Office will operate from the Redland City Council Customer Service Centre, in the main Council building on Bloomfield Street (view location HERE) during the day. This will allow our high quality of service to be maintained in a consistent location throughout the project. For performances there will be a mobile Box Office operating at RPAC the hour prior to the event to welcome guests to the venue as they arrive.
Images: Design/artistic renders of some of these concepts developed by Anna O’Gorman Architects
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A breakdown of each of the key stages is below.
- Works undertaken: Early works include removing roof sections at the front of the RPAC building and inspection of the spire cladding panels.
- Building access: Temporary fencing and signage will be in place to direct patrons to the entry doors for the Concert Hall, Events Hall, and Auditorium when any work is in progress.
- RPAC Box Office: The RPAC Box Office will operate from its regular location in the Concert Hall foyer during the day, and for all performances and events.
- Program: There will be no changes to the program during this time.
- Facilities: Encore Coffee will be closed 2-5 December to facilitate access to roof sections that require removal. The facility will operate as normal on all other dates. The RPAC Bar will operate as normal.
- Carparking: There will be no impact on car parking availability at the front of the building. Limited overflow parking will be available at the rear of the building due to the Baroque site camp. Accessible parking spaces at the front and rear of the building will not be impacted.
- Works undertaken: Demolition of remaining facilities in the current Piazza and preparation for construction phase. Fencing and signage will close off this area.
- Building access: Access to the building will be for Stage Door Session performances only. This access will be at the rear of the building, with directional signage provided.
- RPAC Box Office:
- Daytime: The RPAC Box Office will operate from the Redland City Council (RCC) Customer Service Centre in the main administration building during the day until the completion of the project. See location and directions HERE
- Performances & Events: A mobile Box Office will be available for ticket collection, bookings and enquiries one hour prior to performances. This mobile Box Office will be located at the stage door.
- Program: Enjoy a unique new program of intimate ‘Stage Door Sessions’ and get to go behind-the-scenes at RPAC as you enter there will be no changes to entry routes to performances and events during this pre-work phase.
- Facilities: Encore Coffee will be closed until the project is completed. A small bar will be available at evening performances on the Concert Hall Stage.
- Carparking: There will be reduced car parking availability at the front of the building due to the Baroque site camp. There will be no impact on parking at the rear of the building.
Accessible parking spaces at the front and rear of the building will not be impacted.
- Works undertaken: Construction of forecourt facilities.
- Day time access to the building: Access to the building will be for performances only. Temporary fencing and signage will direct patrons to the Concert Hall entry doors.
- RPAC Box Office:
- Daytime: The RPAC Box Office will operate from the Redland City Council (RCC) Customer Service Centre in the main administration building during the day until the completion of the project. See location and directions HERE
- Performances & Events: The RPAC Box Office will be open one hour prior to performances events in the RPAC Concert Hall for ticket collection, bookings, and enquiries.
- Program: Full range of programming will return.
- Facilities: Encore Coffee will be closed until the project is completed. The Sundial Bar will operate as normal for performances in the Concert Hall foyer,
- Carparking: There will be reduced car parking availability at the front of the building due to the Baroque site camp.
*This completion date may change over the course of the project due to wet weather and resultant poor site conditions.
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Full details of Council’s Annual Capital Works Program is available on the Redland City Council website HERE
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For further details of the redevelopment and design projects that were completed in the 2023-2024 financial year click on the 'Previous Works +' below.
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Stage 1 Redevelopment: Cul-de-sac area reconfiguration and creation of drop-off zone with seating
Redland City Council secured 1.9 million in funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia. Funding was also received from State and Local Government to scope refurbishment and re-purposing of existing infrastructure in the RPAC Complex.
As part of Stage 1 Redevelopment, the cul-de-sac area in Middle Street has been reconfigured to create a drop-off zone with seating being installed in front of RPAC. Upgrades have also been made to the footpath and lighting in this area. These upgrades have improved safety, amenity and accessibility for all who visit the centre. Two extra disability car parks have also been added as part of this work. This work was commenced in March 2023 and completed in 2024.
RPAC Stage 1 Redevelopment - schematic of the external works. Download detailed plan HERE
The works included the following:
- creating a permanent drop-off zone in front of RPAC
- installing a concrete a seating wall and garden beds with feature lighting adjacent to this area
- upgrading the footpath and lighting
- upgrading the pedestrian crossing to provide better access linking RPAC and Cleveland Magistrates Court
- addition of two extra disability car parks and one extra street parking bay
- asphalt road resurfacing
- upgrades to the existing stormwater infrastructure.
These works have improved safety and accessibility for all who visit the centre.
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Stage 1 Redevelopment: Encore COFFEE service
Encore COFFEE now brewing at RPAC!
As part of the Stage 1 Redevelopment work, the existing mobile coffee cart was given a refresh and a new home by repurposing the original Box Office location.
RPAC’s coffee service is now brewing every weekday from 7:30am – noon, with additional times during performances and shows.
Encore COFFEE brings barista coffee for our guests to enjoy before or after a show. We will also be able to extend the range of items available for sale through the café with its new location, so make sure you check out the menu when you are next at RPAC.
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Stage 1 Design: Scoping design of forecourt redevelopment
As part of Stage 1, local project management and engineering consultancy company xburo and Anna O’Gorman Architects were engaged to progress other exciting upgrades in the existing Piazza area. Stage 1 Design included scoping improvements to the Concert Hall entrance, and the addition of a covered outdoor area and permanent seating in the Forecourt.
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Stage 2 Building Master Plan Study: Additional concept work for future strategic planning.
Additional concept design work completed by Archipelago Architects for Stage 2 Building Master Plan Study was completed in October 2023, results from these works will be utilised in discussions for strategic planning and effective budgetary asks related to revitalisation works within for the future of the venue.