Christchurch Town Hall

One of New Zealand’s most famous and successful “modern” buildings, the Christchurch Town Hall, opened in 1972, combines modern materials and forms with echoes of Christchurch’s earlier building traditions.The designer Miles Warren was the winner of an architectural competition. His practice, Warren and Mahoney, continues into the 21 Century as one of New Zealand's most important.

The Christchurch City Council made a controversial decision to restore the complex following extensive damage in the earthquakes. During the February 2011 earthquake, the land beneath and around the building was severely damaged. The restoration cost was expected to be $127m, with the project completion due in 2018.
A stronger foundation system has been put in place. Large concrete columns, called jet grout columns, have been installed close to each other underneath the Town Hall to spread the weight of the building across a wider area. A new concrete slab placed on top, helps to bring the building up to 100 per cent of the New Building Standard.

Images from the Warren & Mahoney website show thereconstruction in progress.

A Performing Arts Precinct will include the fully restored Town Hall, a new Court Theatre and homes for the Music Centre of Christchurch and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO).

Opening of the restored hall took place during 2019 beginning with the the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium.

LLTM p185