Lower Hutt's new $34.2 million events centre and town hall is a state of the art, multi-purpose venue with flexible event spaces. It can comfortably cater to conferences and events of up to 1,300 people (seated).

When it was discovered that the Town Hall and Horticultural Hall were earthquake-prone, Council decided to restore and strengthen the Town Hall and replace the Horticulture Hall with a modern, multi-functional space to host conferences, exhibitions and other events.

The Town Hall is an excellent example of Post-Modernist architecture and that tradition was honoured in the new design. Heritage features were retained where possible and the Horticultural Hall’s original wooden floor was put into the town hall.

The iconic clock tower was found to be a major earthquake risk but was fully re-strengthened.

The emphasis is on flexibility and the versatile design includes two large inter-connected event spaces, a large airy atrium, plus the adjoining town hall. The inclusion of an operable wall allows the space to be divided into two equally sized rooms for smaller scale events or opened for large events and conferences. It is visually connected to the outside with full width glazing to the south overlooking the landscaped gardens.

MJH has been heavily involved in work revitalising the civic centre including re-strengthening the town hall and clock tower, the new events centre and atrium, and the Hutt City Council administration buildings.

Lower Hutt Events Centre Video    Click here