The Municipality of Limassol has announced an international architectural competition for the design and construction supervision of a new Arts Centre. The cost of the project itself is estimated at €25.5 million excluding VAT, while the contractor’s services are valued at €2.6 million excluding VAT.
The Arts Centre will become one of the key projects of Limassol’s cultural strategy for 2024–2034. Its purpose is not simply to host concerts and other events, but to create a permanent venue for artists, musicians, theatre groups and other creative professionals.
What will be included in the Arts Centre
The project provides for the creation of a multifunctional space that can be used for different types of cultural activity. The building is planned to include:
- public and social spaces;
- halls for performances and events;
- facilities for training and educational programmes;
- spaces for creative work and production;
- areas for digital art;
- administrative and auxiliary premises;
- access and parking areas.
Particular attention will be paid to accessibility. The project must comply with Universal Design principles so that the building is convenient and accessible for people with different needs. The municipality also aims to reduce future operating costs and ensure the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of the facility.
The centre will be built on a site west of the Garillis River, next to the second campus of the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK), in the Katholiki area. The new facility is intended to become a central part of Limassol’s broader cultural network, which also includes the former Taxim cinema, the Municipal Art Gallery and the Polydoridis Pavilion.
What the competition winners will receive
Cash prizes totalling €265,000 are provided for competition participants:
- €100,000 — first place;
- €75,000 — second place;
- €50,000 — third place;
- up to two honorary awards of €20,000 each.
The winner of the competition will receive not only first place, but also the design and construction supervision contract worth €2.6 million excluding VAT. The jury consists of 9 members and is chaired by Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis. Its members include representatives of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), municipal technical services, the Department of Lands and Surveys, the Cyprus Architects Association, as well as specialists in cultural management, contemporary art, theatre and lighting design.
When the results will be announced
Architectural proposals can be submitted until March 22, 2027, at 12:00. The jury will then evaluate the entries, with the competition results expected to be announced on April 19, 2027. The awards ceremony and opening of the exhibition of competition entries will take place on May 17, 2027. The official language of the competition is English. The documents are available free of charge through the government’s eProcurement system.
Limassol is therefore moving from the concept of a new cultural space to the concrete stage of selecting its architectural design. Once the competition is completed, the city will have a design for an Arts Centre intended to bring cultural events, education, creative work and international collaboration together in one modern complex.