A Taranaki arts patron will pay almost $300,000 to make sure the new Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth has the plaza-style frontage envisaged by its designers.
A construction worker peels away the protective layer from a stainless steel panel on the exterior of the new Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth. Photo: SUPPLIED
New Plymouth District Council has reversed an earlier decision to go with a cheaper design after Technix Industries head John Matthews offered to pay for the bulk of the work.
The plaza, designed by the Len Lye project architects Patterson Associates, will cost about $440,000 to build but the council's contribution is fixed at $153,000.
Mayor Andrew Judd described Mr Matthews' offer as enormously generous.
The $11.5 million dollar Len Lye Centre is due to open in July but the plaza will not be completed until the end of the year.
Len Lye in his studio in 1958. Photo: Len Lye Foundation Collection / Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
An artist's impression of the Len Lye Centre. Photo: Patterson Associates Ltd