Christchurch Town Hall makes public comeback

Memories were shared and stories swapped as the public were welcomed into the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday for the first time since the earthquakes.

The building has been off-limits to the public for eight years but today the doors were thrown open and people invited to look around its beautifully restored spaces.

Christchurch Town Hall has officially reopened. See photo gallery below for more pictures from the reopening.

In scenes reminiscent of when the Warren & Mahoney designed Town Hall first opened its doors in 1972, hundreds queued patiently along Kilmore Street as they waited for their opportunity to see inside.

In a speech ahead of official ribbon cutting, Mayor Lianne Dalziel spoke of the Town Hall's history and of the significant work that had been done inside, and underneath, the building over the past three years.

"The result is a building that retains all its original character and style, but is stronger and better equipped to again play its role at the heart of our civic and cultural life - citizenship ceremonies, graduations, fundraising balls, conferences and, of course, concerts,'' the Mayor said.

"Today the memories will flood back, I can assure you, as you come through the doors to the foyer, enter the magnificent Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, see the Avon, Victoria and Limes Rooms, gaze at the very 70s Pat Hanly mural and visit the James Hay Theatre, which is not yet completed, but you'll get a taste of what's to come.'' 

The Mayor was then joined on stage by Sir Miles Warren, one of the original architects of the Town Hall, and Sir Harold Marshall, who designed the accoustics, for the ribbon cutting.  The other original architect of the building, Maurice Mahoney, sadly died before the earthquake repairs to the Town Hall could be completed, but two of his great-grandchildren, Gus and Connor Jensen, also helped with the ribbon cutting.

Then, as members of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra played a fanfare, the building was officially declared reopen.

For those who campaigned for the Christchurch Town Hall’s restoration, today’s reopening is an exciting event they have waited years for.

“Stepping out onto the stage and looking round the renewed auditorium brought back many memories - from concerts to graduations and school prize givings - but it also reminded me of what a special architectural space it is,’’ says heritage advocate and art history associate professor Dr Ian Lochhead.

“The restoration has been carried out with great attention to detail and the look and feel of the building has been preserved; the Hanly mural looks stunning now that it is back in place and once again bringing vibrancy and colour to the main foyer spaces.

“The people of Christchurch are going to be thrilled by the building that is being returned to them this weekend,’’ Dr Lochhead says.

Christchuch Heritage Trust Chair Dr Anna Crighton say her initial feeling when entering the foyer of the Town Hall was “wow’.

“I cannot conceive that at one stage demolition of this building was considered,’’ Dr Crighton says.

“This is a heritage building par excellence and deserves its top heritage listing. Its restoration has been carried out to the highest of international standards.

“The Christchurch Town Hall is regarded internationally as one of the top 10 concert halls in the world. We in Christchurch, New Zealand, should feel proud of that status,’’ Dr Crighton says.