The Accessibility and Western Foyers Project is the largest building project undertaken since the late Jørn Utzon was re-engaged as Sydney Opera House architect in 1999. The project is funded by the NSW State Government.
Less mobile visitors, people with a disability and families with prams can now travel undercover to the Western Foyer and to all levels of the Sydney Opera House for the first time.
The public lift connects the Lower and Ground Levels to the Upper Main Box Office Level. Patrons can enter the lift via an underground corridor near the Sydney Opera House Shop on the Lower Level and also at a corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).
The new escalators connect the Upper Level to the Opera Theatre and Concert Hall southern foyers.
As well as the lifts and escalators, a beautiful new Utzon-designed space which unifies the foyers of the Playhouse, The Studio and Drama Theatre is now open for public use. Additional amenities include new ticketing, toilet and cloaking facilities, food and beverage outlets, a complimentary taxi phone service and more seating.
Two new accessible toilet facilities and a significant increase in the capacity of the female toilets in the Western Foyer have greatly improved access to amenities for customers visiting the Sydney Opera House.
Two new platform stair-climber lifts have been installed on entry to the Playhouse theatre. The wheelchair lifts feature fold-out seats allowing them to be used by both wheelchair users and less mobile patrons.
Four new accessible wheelchair positions have also been created at the mid theatre entry level allowing patrons in wheelchairs to be accompanied by their companion in some of the best seating positions in the Playhouse.
The project is now in the final phase from construction to full operation. The completion of all elements of the project will be celebrated at an official opening in November 2009.