Queensland architecture and interior design firm Arkhefield has unveiled the designs for Brisbane’s new music venue Fortitude Music Hall.
Fortitude Music Hall will be located on Brunswick Street Mall in Fortitude Valley, occupying the old Optus Centre building. It is inspired by Brisbane’s beloved Festival Hall which was once Brisbane’s largest indoor public venue that could fit 4000 music fans. Festival Hall was located on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets in the city and was demolished in 2003.
Arkhefield’s award-winning architect Andrew Gutteridge is directing the design for Fortitude Music Hall, which will draw inspiration from classic Brisbane theatre venues and their Art Deco aesthetic. It will be built by Queensland construction company Hutchinson Builders, who have contributed $43 million to the project.
Fortitude Music Hall is the brainchild of former Powderfinger member and owner of Brisbane music venue The Triffid John “JC” Collins and co-founder of events company Secret Sounds Paul Piticco. It has also had support from US events company Live Nation. The venue will fit more than 3000 people in the concert hall and will also include a mixed-use retail and events space as well as other food and beverage venues. The largest indoor venue in Brisbane is currently The Tivoli, which can hold around 1400 punters. In the past, gigs expected to be larger than that have been pushed out to Boondall to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre which holds a whopping 14,000 people.
Construction is already underway for the Fortitude Music Hall and it is expected to open in June next year.
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