Auckland Town Hall is one of Queen Street’s most prominent historic public buildings, is scheduled Category A under the council’s district plan and listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as Category I. It operates as a multi-functional, world class venue and is a much loved heritage building.
Salmond Reed Architects was initially commissioned to undertake a measured survey, drone photography and a thorough inspection to assess the condition of the Memorial and produce a conservation statement; in particular in relation to longstanding issues of water ingress to the structure. Detailed historic research was undertaken to fully understand the monument’s significance and history of repairs.
In 2019, Salmond Reed Architects produced a detailed specification of conservation works and coordinated the seismic assessment. During 2021 and 2022, the physical restoration and seismic upgrade was undertaken in 2 phases and involved installation of a structural steel frame in the Crypt and central void, installation of 17 post-tension tie rods, cleaning and conservation repairs to bronze, granite and marble, repairs and painting of the perimeter wall and railings. This complex, challenging project was successfully completed in December 2022.