Refurbished Brisbane City Hall revealed at AIME Melbourne

With its extensive three year, $215 million restoration in its final stages, the venue management and catering team from Epicure have this week revealed details of the impressive new function spaces at the heritage-listed Brisbane City Hall – details of the heritage venue being revealed during the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Striking a balance between a modern entertainment and function venue while maintaining its heritage, the historic venue will ooze style and grace when it officially re-opens this April to coincide with its 83rd anniversary.

With sweeping marble staircases, vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and mosaic-tiled floors, function facilities have been significantly enhanced to add additional features and services so that the building can be used well into the future.

Epicure will be managing all of the functions and events held at the Brisbane City Hall and the adjacent 3,000 metre2 King George Square and will offer guests the unique blend of seasonal, contemporary food and exceptional service that they are renowned for.

Epicure Brisbane City Hall Venue Manager Mark Kendall explains "they don't build unique spaces like this any more", adding "this restoration has meant a significant and comprehensive upgrade of the event and meeting spaces at Brisbane City Hall, whilst maintaining all of the charm of the building's significant heritage. The new spaces also mean that event organisers will be able to capitalise on the fantastic central location, making light work of logistics."

12 carefully restored and redesigned indoor function rooms with state-of-the-art audiovisual and information technology facilities will be capable of hosting 20 to 2,000 guests and will be available for hire for events such as business meetings, gala's, awards dinners, school formals and speech nights, weddings, exhibitions and concerts. And, for the first time, there will be a brand new commercial kitchen that will cater for the thousands of events to be held in the building which will be run by Epicure's Executive Chef Russell Armstrong.

In addition to the function rooms, King George Square is an ideal outdoor venue adjacent to Brisbane City Hall offering full catering and outdoor beverage services.

Function space highlights at the Brisbane City Hall:

MAIN AUDITORIUM
Living up to the talent it will stage, the newly restored 920 square metre Main Auditorium will inspire patrons and performers alike and is a proud reflection of everything that Brisbane City Hall will offer.

With a capacity suitable for up to 1644 guests, the high ceiling, equipped with the latest lighting and audio-visual equipment, forms the background to the room's focal point – a 23 metre high central lantern. The newly restored timber floor, large stage, semi-circular balcony and grand organ are surrounded by a decorative frieze by Australian artist, Daphne Mayo, featuring six medallions each containing a portrayal of a life sized classical nymph clashing cymbals or blowing a trumpet.

THE BRISBANE ROOM
The Brisbane Room, with its high ceilings, polished timber floors and grand chandeliers will take your breath away. It was officially opened as a public space in April 1980 when a time capsule was inserted into one of the decorated pillars. The time capsule will be re-opened on 11th April 2030.

This 368 metre2 room is ideally suited for seated formal events for 200 guests, including wedding receptions and school formals, as well as cocktail parties for 300 and business events, presentations, seminars, training sessions and workshops for 180 delegates.

The Brisbane Room adjoins the Moggill Courtyard creating a unique indoor/outdoor event space.
 
ITHACA AUDITORIUM
The newly restored 324 metre2 Ithaca Auditorium is a large, pillarless room that is an ideal setting for medium-sized events such as concerts, recitals, theatrical performances, presentations, conferences for 415 delegates, gala dinners for 200 guests and cocktail ceremonies for 450.

Key features include a high-coffered ceiling, cool paint colour palette, polished wooden stage and piano. The auditorium adjoins the Ithaca Foyer and has extensive back of house spaces and facilities, including private and group dressing rooms.

BALMORAL SUITE
The Balmoral Suite includes the Balmoral, Oak Table, Windsor and Belmont Rooms that can be hired individually or collectively. This special suite of rooms make up the Lord Mayors Civic function rooms that will be available for private events on weekends and on some evenings.

The 144 metre2 Balmoral Room is a popular venue for cocktail parties for up to 120 guests, wedding receptions and formal dinners, as well as business meetings, seminars, training sessions and presentations. The room has a balcony overlooking the northern light well.

The 115 metre2 Windsor Rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking King George Square defines this elegant space. The room is ideally suited to wedding ceremonies, seated events and cocktail parties, as well as business meetings.

As its name suggests, a long heritage-listed oak table defines the 109 metre2 Oak Table Room. Advanced digital sound, lighting and wireless technology makes this an ideal room for boardroom style events over breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The smallest of the rooms in the Balmoral Suite, the Belmont Room is 42 metres2 and is ideal for a private dinner or lunch meeting or the most intimate of celebrations.

KING GEORGE SQUARE
The ultimate location for outdoor events in the centre of Brisbane City offering the full catering and bar facilities available for guests inside City Hall, King George Square offers a range of spaces suitable for corporate events, product launches, Civic ceremonies, festivals, concerts and exhibitions.

With over 3000 metre2 of useable space, King George Square can be transformed in to a giant dinner party, BBQ or cocktail reception for corporate events.

Elegant marquees to ensure the event is weather proof can also be provided. Stall structures can be hired, along with furniture and other event hire needs.

ABOUT BRISBANE CITY HALL
Built in the 1920s and located in the heart of the Brisbane Central Business District on King George Square, Brisbane City Hall is a symbol of civic pride, one of Brisbane's greatest icons and the home of elegance and grandeur.

For more information go to www.epicure.com.au/Venues/Brisbane-City-Hall-Home.htm

Images courtesy of Epicure.