MBM Delivers Comprehensive Cost and Asset Guidance on Queensland Heritage Site Ipswich Art Gallery

Architectus Conrad Gargett, one of Australia’s largest and top-tier design practices, is leading the revitalisation of the Ipswich Art Gallery. The Ipswich Art Gallery – formerly the Old Town Hall – is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. The structure is stepped in history as one of the oldest buildings in Ipswich dating back to 1861 and consists of the former Ipswich Town Hall.

Ipswich Art Gallery offers diverse exhibitions for over 100,000 visitors a year and is one of the busiest art galleries in the region. The building – with a colourful history as a School of Arts, Mechanics Institute, Town Hall, and department store – underwent transformative renovations 25 years after its initial design.

Engaged and led by Architectus Conrad Gargett, MBM supported the Ipswich Art Gallery with a Building Condition Report. The services guided the team costing to cyclical maintenance and repair works on the historic site.

MBM’s quantity surveying and building consultancy experts, led by Associate Director Reiss Draper and Executive Building Consultant Lewis Wilkinson, are partnering closely with Architectus Conrad Gargett to ensure the continuous success of the art gallery in the community.

The full scope of services provided by MBM‘s team includes:

Cost planning and estimating

Damp assessment, diagnosis and scope of works for repair

A Building Condition Report

Costing of the Schedule of Repairs

Associate Director Reiss Draper is thrilled to be leading the delivery of MBM’s cost guidance to the Ipswich City Council. Reiss Draper comments, “It is a privilege to guide the conservation and maintenance works of such a prominent and renowned cultural site in the region. The works will benefit the community and Ipswich Art Gallery will continue to be revered as a culturally significant space for the arts.”

The Ipswich Art Gallery project commenced in early 2024.