Australia’s top venue for tennis and concerts, the multipurpose Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, will be refurbished and expanded so that it can host bigger shows and sporting events.

Cox Architecture studio, who originally designed the arena, and contractor and developer Lend Lease, will oversee the project, which will include the addition of a new “eastern pod” main entrance.

The venue – famous for hosting the main fixtures at the Australian Open – has been open since 1988. It will be kept open as much as possible during the works taking place over the next three years.

Rigging facilities and the arena’s loading bay will be revamped and automated retractable seating will be added to increase efficiency and flexibility of the venue. New restaurants and beverage points will be added to provide a wider variety of options for spectators.

“The improvements planned will be the most significant to take place in the history of Rod Laver Arena,” said Brian Morris, CEO of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, which runs the site. “The back-of-house upgrades will allow our promoters and hirers to bring bigger and better shows to the arena, while the overall event experience will be greatly enhanced for our patrons.”

The refurbishment is part of the second stage of the AU$700m redevelopment of the tennis facilities that make up the Melbourne Park sports complex.

John Wardle Architects and NADAAA are creating a new pedestrian bridge to link the park to the city, while Hassell have designed an eight-storey media building that can be used during the Australian Open.