In the lead up to the City of Melbourne's election for lord mayor, candidate Arron Wood has unveiled a plan to establish an Intercultural Museum within Lendlease's development of Gurrowa Place, south of the Queen Victoria Market. The 3.2-hectare urban renewal project was given approval from the state government in March 2024 and is currently under heritage review from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The Intercultural Museum, designed by Searle × Waldron Architecture, is proposed on the site of the Queens Corner Building. The proposal for the greater precinct incorporates a mix of student accommodation, residential apartments and work spaces designed by a team including NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia, Openwork, McGregor Coxall, Lovell Chen and Urbis.
According to a statement from Wood, the Intercultural Museum will be "a true people's place, embracing and exploring intercultural narratives that bring people closer together. Accessible and inclusive to all, it will be a place to make connections, historically and contemporarily; challenge the status quo; shift perceptions; and be active contributors to our own stories."
Deputy lord mayoral candidate Erin Deering noted that "this museum will be more than just a cultural hub; it will be an economic driver, supporting local businesses and helping to revitalise our city as we continue to recover and grow." The 10,000-square-metre facility is intended to connect with Melbourne's other cultural institutions, such as the city's Hellenic Museum.
"The museum will feature a range of interactive exhibitions, educational programs and events designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and reinforcing Melbourne's multicultural identity," Deering said.
