SCOPING STUDY INTO FUTURE OF ALBERT HALL

The possible refurbishment of one of Canberra’s best-loved buildings, the Albert Hall, and the future use of the land surrounding the hall, will be examined, with $40,000 set aside in the Budget for a scoping study, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has announced.

“Familiar to generations of Canberrans and the venue for countless concerts, balls, theatre productions and community events since the 1920s, the Albert Hall occupies a deserved place in the affections of the community,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The Government believes the hall and its surrounds have the potential to be an even greater focus of community life and will fund a scoping study to look at the potential for refurbishment and redevelopment.”

The Albert Hall was designed by Federal Capital Commission architects and is an important example of the Federal Capital style of construction. It is listed on the ACT Heritage Register.

One of the landmark buildings along Commonwealth Avenue, the Albert Hall served as the original assembly hall for the fledgling national capital and was its main theatre space until the opening of the Canberra Theatre in Civic in the mid-1960s. It retains its original interior fabric and fittings, parquetry flooring and projection facilities.

 “Almost 80 years after it was built, the Albert Hall continues to serve the community as a venue for cultural and social events,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The Government believes it is an important building, historically, aesthetically, culturally and socially, and wants to examine the potential for it to play an even greater role in the life of the community.”
Statement ends