During today’s announcement that Come From Away would be performed at HOTA: Home of the Arts for a limited season in July 2022, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate took to the stage to share another fascinating titbit of news.
The development of the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct has been completed in stages. The initial stage several years ago was the launch of the Outdoor Stage Amphitheatre, improved lake facilities, and rebranding from The Arts Centre Gold Coast (TACGC) to HOTA: Home of the Arts. The latest development stage was the HOTA Gallery, taking Gold Coast City Gallery from a 2.5 wing space to a gigantic building to showcase works, host workshops, and open a fancy restaurant.
But that was not a case of just saving the biggest ambition until last. Tom Tate announced that what is expected to be the final phase of development will be a new 1,400 – 1,600 seat theatre.
Given the capacity, this would place it somewhere in the capacity vicinity of QPAC’s New Performing Arts Venue project. As such, it could potentially be a venue to host major musicals, large-scale concerts, and major productions from Queensland State Companies more. Could this be a chance for the Gold Coast to be a new home of touring musical theatre productions? Time will tell.
As this was only mentioned briefly during Tate’s speech, specifics are limited. Expect to hear more about this new stage of the HOTA Precinct in the coming weeks, months and potentially years. The big question to me is where this venue would reside, and additionally, whether it is a brand new theatre or one that will take the place of the existing Arts Theatre / Theatre 1.
