Central city comeback queen

Almost eight years since the 2011 February earthquake forced its closure and three years since restoration work began, the Christchurch Town Hall is earning its place as the central city’s comeback queen.

The first rebuild of this magnitude to be completed in the city, enhancements include modern and integrated technologies, extensive heating and cooling systems, improved accessibility, retractable theatre seating and reconfigured backstage facilities, though its heritage aesthetic will remain largely unchanged.

Vbase is gearing up for a busy year when the Christchurch Town Hall reopens for business in March 2019, with the first events now getting locked in, Vbase Acting General Manager, Events Services Chris Wallace says. “We’re really excited to see both existing and new events return to the Christchurch Town Hall, and to the central city. 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.”

We’re excited to see events return to the Town Hall

Post-quake, Horncastle Arena and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand have provided valuable alternatives to many events traditionally held in the Christchurch Town Hall, such as music festivals, community events and conferences up to 1,500 guests. The first contracted event will see the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra return to the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium when it performs alongside popular artist Shapeshifter on Friday 1 March 2019. Other events scheduled in the first six months include national and international conferences, concerts, gala dinners and community events.