About the Town Hall strengthening project

View from Civic Square of Wellington Town Hall, as it looks in 2013. — Wellington Town Hall from Civic Square

The Grade 1 listed building is more than a century old. It was closed to the public in 2013 because it was earthquake prone. By law it must be either demolished or strengthening must be underway by the end of 2019. Demolition is not an option because of its heritage status.

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 Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music Te Kōkī.

The estimated costs of the work is $112.4 million plus a contingency allowance.

Current status

Construction work on the strengthening of Te Whare Whakarauiki - Town Hall started in April 2019 after Naylor Love was appointed as the main construction contractor.

The plan of work

Removing the bridge to the Michael Fowler Centre

The process of removing the bridge between Te Whare Whakarauiki and the Michael Fowler Centre will be carried out between 22 January and 8 February, subject to weather conditions.

All activities will be carried out within the closed construction site so there is not expected to be any disruption to the nearby parking or traffic flow.

The bridge was added to the Michael Fowler Centre in the 1990s. As the bridge is not being used and it doesn’t work with the base isolation being installed, it is being removed.