Seismic strengthening and redevelopment work on Wellington Town Hall is nearing completion with key parts of the heritage building almost completed, Wellington City Council has confirmed.
The Council says three key areas of the grade one listed heritage building – the Adam Auditorium, TG Macarthy Grand Staircase and the debating chamber, which will be a performance space in the new Te Whare Whakarauika | Town Hall – are nearing completion.
The fully restored Adam Auditorium will retain its world-leading acoustics. It is believed to be in the world’s top 10 venues for symphonic performances due to its acoustic qualities, created from its classic shoe box design.
Council says preserving the acoustics was critical in the redevelopment. In addition to making sure the auditorium’s geometry is undisturbed, shielding has been added to the roof to block outside noise from traffic, sirens and the nearby helipad, and the old high-pressure mechanical air conditioning in the ceiling has been replaced.
TG Macarthy Grand Staircase sees new encaustic tiles painstakingly re-laid recreating the original pattern – one of the most visually striking elements of the Town Hall’s heritage.
The debating chamber’s press metal ceilings, plaster walls and native timber floors will enhance the acoustic reverberations, making it a sought-after performance venue for the city.
Construction on the former Municipal Office Building (MOB) site for the Town Hall front-of-house annex started last month. The front-of-house facilities will feature a relatively lightweight timber frame and will use the existing MOB foundations.
When it re-opens it will be a world-class musical and recording venue with improved rehearsal and performance space. It will be a base for civic and community events and part of a centre of musical excellence for New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, said the Council.
Redevelopment Project Manager, Gervais Lawrie, explained the heritage focus of the redevelopment work.
“The press metal ceiling of the auditorium is 70% of the original sheets. We were able to use the original dye to punch the remaining press metal sheets,” Mr Lawrie says.
“The auditorium floor timber is also 70% original. The choir stall timber is completely original. It has been taken away, stored itemised and re-installed in its original space.”
Opened in 1904, Te Whare Whakarauika | Wellington Town Hall was declared earthquake-prone in 2009. It was closed in 2013 following the Seddon earthquake, with strengthening work starting in 2019.
Before the work was done the building was resting on its original unreinforced concrete piles on reclaimed land. In phases the building has been re-piled, propping it up with steel and installing new foundations. Rubber lead bearing base isolators have been installed throughout, making the building more likely to get through an earthquake safety.
Council says the building will be open to the public in early 2027.
