Go ahead for $127.5 million restoration of Christchurch Town Hall

Work on restoring Christchurch's landmark Town Hall venue is set begin within weeks with the Christchurch City Council having approved a $127.5 million project.

In what has been labelled a pivotal moment in Christchurch's recovery, Councillors have this week voted 12-1 in favour of fully restoring the 1972 heritage-listed building, also known as the Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts, which has been closed since it was damaged in the earthquakes.

The original designers of the Christchurch Town Hall, architectural experts and music groups had all called on the Council to restore the modernist building while a strategic and economic business case prepared for the council by accounting firm Deloitte had also backed full restoration.

Having already obtained resource consent to repair the Town Hall, once the Council has secured building consent, work will be able to the three year restoration project.

Speaking during the vote, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said she could not support knocking down a heritage building when it was repairable.

Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck said financially the restoration of the Town Hall stood up and she wanted it fixed as soon as possible, stating “it would be so lovely having the city's living room functioning.

“This has a sense of our place. The Town Hall is associated with Christchurch and it incredibly important part of the history of Christchurch.”

Other councillors said fully repairing the Town Hall would send a signal of real confidence in the recovery of the performing arts sector and the city overall.

Sir Miles Warren, one of the original architects of the Town Hall, was reportedly delighted by the Council's decision.

The council had the Town Hall insured for a replacement value of $68.9 million and has spent $7 million on the building, stripping it out and ensuring it does not deteriorate further following the damage it incurred during the February 2011 earthquake.

Christchurch City Council had been considering updating the Town Hall prior to the 2011 earthquake damaging the venue.

Click here for more information on the project.

Images show the Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts prior to the 2011 Canterbury earthquake (top) and plans for its redevelopment (below).

10th September 2014 - CHRISTCHURCH VENUE MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION LOOKS FORWARD TO INDEPENDENCE

27th November 2013 - CHRISTCHURCH REVEALS PLANS FOR TOWN HALL AND PERFORMING ARTS PRECINCT

1st September 2013 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL AGREES TOWN HALL RESTORATION

22nd February 2011 - TRAGEDY AS 6.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS CHRISTCHURCH

14th April 2009 - DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR CHRISTCHURCH VENUES