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Many of the current and future users of the Dunedin Town Hall are quite different to those who used it when it was built in 1929. Redevelopment of the complex has been included in our Annual Plan since 2001.

Factors driving the redevelopment include the need to:

• Address a number of regulatory issues with the buildings, including fire, egress, health & safety, ventilation and access.
• Improve the general appearance, functionality, and technical capabilities within the complex.
• Realise the potential of the complex as a premiere heritage performance and conference venue.
• Maintain the long-term viability of the complex as a community asset.

Since 2001, several options for the project have been explored. A key feature of all these options was building an atrium on Harrop Street to provide additional conference and function space. This part of the proposal aroused considerable public interest.

Changes to the interior and integrity of the Town Hall auditorium have never been considered as part of the project.

In late 2007, the Council approved Option 12a and commissioned a peer review which suggested some further improvements. Two more options were developed based on these recommendations, as well as an alternative option that combined features of both and allowed for a staged redevelopment.

The alternative option, without the atrium on Harrop Street at this stage, was approved by the Council in early November. Design work and construction documentation should be complete by late 2009, with construction work starting as soon as practicable after that. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2012.

View design work for the project