| Address: | 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, New South Wales |
| Opened Date: | 10 September 2011 |
| Seating Capacity: | Concert Hall: 1000 Theatre: 500 Civic Pavilion: 500 |
The Concourse is a cultural centre in Chatswood, a suburb in Lower North Shore, Sydney. Opened in 2011, the complex includes facilities such as a civic pavilion, a concert hall, Chatswood Library, a theatre and other venues for cultural uses.[1]
In 1903, the first Willoughby Town Hall was built on the current site of The Concourse, also functioning as the Council Chambers. The site was shared with the Council Pound, the School of Arts, and the Ku-ring-gai Masonic Lodge. In 1967, a three-storey ad administration building was constructed on the site, with a fourth floor was added in 1980.
The new cultural complex was designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp architects.[2] Following demolition of the old buildings, construction of The Concourse began in July 2008 at a cost of approximately $162 million[3] and was completed in July 2011. The complex was officially opened on 17 September 2011 by then Governor of New South Wales Marie Bashir, and mayor of Willoughby, Pat Reilly.[4]
The Concourse features a public open space, a 500-seat theatre, rehearsal spaces, a 1,000-seat concert hall, cafés, retail and commercial outlets, a boutique hotel, and a multi-purpose exhibition hall. The Concourse also includes car parking over two basement levels and a 5,000 m3 stormwater detention tank as part of an integrated water management system.[5]
Art Space on The Concourse, a 92 m2 exhibition space, is located on the ground floor of The Concourse, hosting art exhibitions from local artists and art collectives.[6]
Chatswood Library, over 5,000 m2 in size, is also located in The Concourse. The library is on the lower ground level, accessible from the main podium via lifts or stairs.[7] KLIK Systems, an Australian linear lighting manufacturer, was commissioned to design and supply indoor beam luminaries in the library.[8]
Patrons of The Concourse include leading figures in Australia's arts industries including soprano Yvonne Kenny, poet Les Murray, authors Matthew Reilly and Renée Goossens, and rock icon Angry Anderson AM.
The Ensemble Theatre has staged productions at The Concourse.
In 2014, artistic director Sandra Bates mounted performances of all three plays in David Williamson's Jack Manning Trilogy - Face to Face, A Conversation, and Charitable Intent - back-to-back.[9] In 2016, in her final directorial role, Bates reunited with Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes for a reprise of their 2006 production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,[10] [11] which became the most successful production in the Ensemble's 58-year history.[12]