Christchurch Town Hall will reopen in March 2019, almost eight years after the earthquake that forced its closure.

The venue has undergone three years of restoration work, including the installation of integrated technologies, heating and cooling systems, improved accessibility, retractable theatre seating and reconfigured backstage facilities.

Since the closure of Christchurch Town Hall, venue operator Vbase has utilised its other venues, such as Horncastle Arena and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, for events and conferences.

“We’re really excited to see both existing and new events return to the Christchurch Town Hall, and to the central city,” says Chris Wallace, acting general manager, events services at Vbase.

“Vbase are hosting hundreds of events and thousands of guests throughout its venues each year and we expect this to only increase with the return of the Christchurch Town Hall.”

Christchurch Town Hall’s event spaces include the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, with capacity for 2250 guests, and the James Hay Theatre for up to 1000.

The Victoria, Limes and Avon rooms can cater to groups from 50 to 500, with flexible spaces, high quality technology and views across the Avon River.

The first contracted event will see the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra return to the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, while a number of national and international conferences, gala dinners and community events are booked in for the first six months.

ChristchurchNZ general manager destination and attraction Loren Heaphy says the reopening is a significant milestone for the city’s event industry.

“A venue of this size and scale helps cement Christchurch as an event destination, attracting major and business events which have a positive economic and social impact on the city,” she says.

“We are excited by the vibrancy the opening of the Christchurch Town Hall, and the events it hosts, will bring to the central city.”