Artscape Opera House
Refurbishment fast tracked
Formerly known as the Nico Malan Theatre complex, the Artscape Opera House has established itself as Cape Town’s prestigious performing arts centre. The 40 year old centre which is located in the Foreshore area in the City Centre, was renamed in 1999, when the Artscape Company replaced the former Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB).
A need to increase the seating capacity and upgrade the look and feel of the centre recently came to the fore.
Onset of Refurbishment
Planning commenced during 2008 and funds were made available from the Department of Arts and Culture in March 2009.
The approximate total contract value of the work is R 30 million(US$4 million) including the cost of the works, fittings, contingencies, fees, and VAT. The contractor was appointed on 8 May 2009 and the project was handled as fast track contract with sectional hand over.
The project which has been designated as the Artscape Opera House refurbishment, involves extensive alterations to the Opera House auditorium to increase the seating capacity. The capacity of the auditorium has been increased by 20 per cent, from 1, 200 to 1,500 seats.
Theatre goers will enjoy specially designed seating which are mounted on a newly racked floor designed to focus views on the stage.The upgrade includes the refurbishment of the finishes and services in this venue.
To cater for the increased capacity, the Opera House ablutions were enlarged and refitted. The foyers were altered to provide additional refreshment bars with enhanced flexibility of use. The project involved upgrading and reconditioning existing services. This included incorporating facilities for the disabled. The engineering consultants and the main contractor were involved in the design and erection of the original Opera House contract.
Project Team
Performing Arts design advisors: Arts Team, RHWL, Architects, London
Architect and Principle Agent: Gapp Architects and Urban Designers Cape Town
Interior Designer: Macgregor Forsythe
Structural Engineers: WSP Consulting Engineers
Mechanical, Electrical and Fire Consultants: CA du Toit Consulting Engineers
Quantity Surveyors: LWA Quantity Surveyors
Health and Safety Consultants: Frontline Health and Safety
Main Contractor: M&R Construction
Selected Seating Sub-Contractor: Destiny Seating
Andrew Flint/Director (digital Photos taken before and during construction. – Architects impression (021) 424 2390 andrew@ctn.gapp.net
Client: Micheal Maas, CEO, Artscape: Micheal@artscape.co.za
Owner’s representative – Mr David Aitchison, Department of Works, Provincial Govt of the Western Cape datchis@pgwc.gov.za
ARCHITECT – Andrew Flint, GAPP Architects: Andrew@ctn.gapp.net, James Finnie:james@ctn.gapp.net
Contractor-Warrick leslie, Murray and Roberts Western Cape: warrick.leslie@murrob.com, Bruce May: bruce.may@murrob.com
