When Preston and Northcote Councils merged, the much loved, historic, Northcote Town Hall became underused. However, this building’s size and location gives Council the chance to boost local arts and cultural activities and improve the local economy.
The challenge was transforming this heritage building into a lively community venue, but renovating it sensitively while meeting modern standards of heating, lifts and telecommunications.
Council consulted local artists, musicians and theatre groups and set up a Community Reference Group for the project. Several public consultations were also undertaken during the design process.
The Town Hall retains its strong sense of grandeur, inside and out, but it is now more adaptable, with flexible theatre and exhibition spaces, community meeting rooms and a main hall which opens to the new Civic Square outside.
Recognising the site’s Aboriginal connections, Council worked with the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Council and Aboriginal artist, Ray Thomas, on the design for the Civic Square. Ray will also create artworks along the walls and access ramps.
A hidden strength of the project was its management. The Town Hall renovation has been completed on budget and is great value compared with similar projects. Council maintained a strict approach to costings, but was able to adapt the batching and timing of stages to appeal to a different construction market.
The Town Hall should be fully functional by the New Year, with the Civic Square soon to follow. For more information, contact Nerina Di Lorenzo on (03) 8470 8369.
