1886 - 1890 |
Land set aside for the town hall on reclaimed land near Jervois Quay, which was created using fill from the cliff-face on Lambton Quay and hauled to the site by horse and cart. |
1900 |
Wellington architect Joshua Charlesworth designs Town Hall in the classical renaissance style. |
18 June 1901 |
Duke of Cornwall and York lays three-ton granite foundation stone with time capsule inside. |
1902 |
Paterson, Martin, and Hunter start building the Town Hall. Cost 68,000 pounds. |
7 December 1904 |
Wellington Town Hall officially opened by Mayor Aitken in front of 3,000-strong crowd. Auditorium acoustics acknowledged as excellent. |
1906 |
Norman & Beard grand organ installed by organ builder J Tustin. Made in London, cost 7,000 pounds and shipped to New Zealand in 51 cases. |
1923 |
Clock donated by John Blundell and installed in 150-foot tower. |
1934 |
Roman-styled main portico, clock tower and other external features removed as a precaution against earthquakes. |
1942 |
Wairarapa earthquakes cause moderate damage to the Town Hall. |
1943 - 44 |
More external features removed and major strengthening done in auditorium and concert chamber. |
1970 |
Interior painted using Grant Tilly-designed colour scheme, based on dominant colours in foyer’s original tiled floors. |
1971 |
Town Hall’s future in jeopardy for not meeting the seismic codes. Public outcry. Council decides to strengthen. |
1975 |
Exterior repainted in two colours, designed by Mayor Michael Fowler. |
1977 |
Public debate about partial demolition to preserve the main auditorium. |
1978 |
'Save the Town Hall' committee formed by a group of music enthusiasts. |
September 1983 |
Michael Fowler Centre built next to the Town Hall. |
April 1984 |
The Council decides to strengthen the Town Hall. |
1989 |
Council votes for integrated Civic Centre scheme, creating a new Civic Square between the Town Hall and old city library (now City Gallery), a new Central Library and new curved Council office building. |
1991 - 1992 |
Concert chamber replaced by conference / reception.
Ilott theatre built, designed in a traditional chamber music room style.
Main auditorium fully renovated and restored to improve function and civic events' space. Stage modernised.
Original features restored, including wrought-iron balustrades, cast-iron columns and balustrades, dadoes and pressed zinc ceiling.
|
1992 |
Town Hall complex reopened. |
2007 |
Town Hall assessed as earthquake-prone, meeting only 20 - 25% of new building standard. |
November 2013 |
Town Hall closes to start earthquake strengthening. |