The City Renewal Authority has opened a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for future tenancies at Block 23, Section 19 City — a key site within the Canberra Civic and Cultural District.
With the site scheduled to be released in the coming years as part of the ACT Housing Supply and Land Release Program, the ROI, open from Monday 20 April to Tuesday 19 May 2026, is an early step to understand demand for future space within a proposed mixed‑use development and to identify organisations that may be interested in tenancies. It is open to both government, commercial and non‑government organisations whose proposed uses align with the vision for the Canberra Civic and Cultural District.
Block 23 is positioned at one of Canberra City’s most prominent intersections of Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit east, neighbouring Canberra Museum and Galley, Civic Square, the Canberra Theatre Centre and the new lyric theatre (currently under construction). The future development is expected to deliver two new buildings accommodating cultural, civic and related community uses, hotel accommodation and offices, supported by active ground‑floor retail and hospitality offerings to support lively a day-and-night‑area in Canberra’s City Centre.
“The ROI will help shape a development outcome that strengthens the vision for the Canberra Civic and Cultural District and supports long-term place objectives for the heart of Canberra,” Craig Gillman, Chief Executive of the City Renewal Authority said.
“This process allows us to test demand and understand the types of organisations that want to be part Canberra’s cultural heart.”
“Securing early tenant interest can play an important role in delivering a viable, high-quality‑ development that contributes meaningfully to Canberra’s City Centre.”
The ROI is being managed by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) with supported by an independent probity adviser to ensure the process is undertaken transparently and with integrity.
Submissions will be assessed for alignment with Canberra Civic and Cultural District objectives, operational readiness and capacity to contribute to activation and long-term‑ place outcomes.
It is important to note that the ROI process is not a land sale. Block 23 is included in the ACT Housing Supply and Land Release Program, and future decisions on timing and sale will be informed by the outcomes of this process and broader market considerations.
The Theatre Lane surface car park is being used to support the delivery of Canberra's city shaping projects including light rail to Commonwealth Park and new lyric theatre. The development on Block 23 will include basement parking, with accessible spaces to support theatre visitors and near-by activity. An appropriate level of parking will be determined as part of approvals for the future proposed development.
Canberra Metro is working to complete the work in the vicinity of the Sydney and Melbourne buildings and Theatre Lane car park as soon as possible this year. Once these works are completed, the ACT Government will use the area currently occupied by Canberra Metro to provide parking, including additional accessible parking, expected by the end of 2026.
A parking map showing locations of car parks in the city area is available on the City Services website.
Organisations interested in participating in the ROI can find more information and register their interest at act.gov.au/cityrenewal.
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