Nine-Month Renovation of City Hall Coming to an End

The City Hall was the scene of events Of national and international scope service to the residents of Cape Town. The Council Chamber, in its heart, was the place where issues of local importance were debated and decisions made that would shape Cape Town in the city as we know it today.

Most of the City Hall's renovation work is in the final phase, with the latest touches being made to the auditorium. The current phase involves considerable work in the auditorium and surrounding function rooms.

The auditorium seats were replaced, the floors were stabilized and restored, a mechanical ventilation system, a sound system and an evacuation system were installed, and all the moldings, scene and backstage have been restored. ]

The renovation of the installation began a few months ago and the painting of the main entrance hall, the renovation of the slate roof and the repairs of the organ were completed during from the previous year.

Exciting projects are underway to position the surrounding City and City Hall as an ideal venue for musical events, in addition to being the home of the Malay Choruses and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. The city of Cape Town is also updating the Grand Parade to increase the attraction of the City as a gathering place.

"The Town Hall is one of our oldest and most central public spaces, with a rich history that resonates with Capetonians and with visitors to our city. These major renovations will give a new life at the facility, "said Mayco Property and Facilities Management Member, Stuart Diamond.

"In addition, the proposals to honor Madiba's legacy with permanent facilities here will add to the town hall's appeal as an attraction for locals and visitors alike."

The works planned for next year include the modernization of offices and bathrooms on the ground floor and the fence of the back entrance of the Town Hall.

"As a key strategic badet of the City, its maintenance and upkeep was to be done with the utmost care to preserve the integrity of this heritage building and its equipment. The renovation will enhance the aesthetics of the building and, given its proximity to the Great Parade, the old drill and the Castle of Good Hope, will make this city the historic and cultural heart of Cape Town. Said Diamond.

The City plans to hold a multicultural event in September to launch the refurbished auditorium to a number of stakeholders. A range of cultural performance by previous users of the facility will be the highlight of the launch.

The purpose of this event will be to present and market the venue as a multicultural and functional space. The choice of artists must celebrate our cultural diversity in Cape Town as an inclusive city. It will also be an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the excellent work of the project team.

The work of the City Hall Steering Committee is underway. Stakeholder engagement sessions were held with leading companies in the City to understand the opportunities and challenges. In addition, the Steering Committee (consisting of internal and external stakeholders) leads the renovation plan in a coordinated manner to ensure that the facility meets current building standards without compromising its heritage significance. .

The Conservation Management Plan is with Heritage Western Cape for approval. The refurbishment will help identify and implement appropriate civic uses and tenants for the facility. In turn, this will help strengthen the economic viability of this key strategic badet.

Safety has also been a key motivator for renovations, due to the age of the building. The repairs will allow the town hall to comply with the national security regulations stipulated in the Sports and Recreation Events Safety Act.

The construction of this imposing building in 1905 places Cape Town on an equal footing with the other capitals of the world. Since then, he has been a focal point in the life of the city. He hosted all the major events that took place in the city. For many years, the Great Hall was the only civic place of great capacity and was the performance of the Malay Choir; orchestra concerts; musical competitions such as variety shows; boxing competitions; banquets and civic functions. Today, he continues to host various community programs.

While the Town Hall provided a space for arts and music, it was also for nearly 70 years the headquarters of the Cape Town administration with all decisions relating to the city being made there. It was designed in two parts, the administrative wing and the Grand Hall Wing