Adelaide Town Hall Conservation Project
Project status
Phase 2 – King William Street and Prince Alfred Lane in progress.
What is this project and why are we doing it?
Adelaide Town Hall and Eagle Chambers (constructed 1863-66) is located at 128 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000. It was designed by Edmund Wright of Wright and Woods architects as a result of a competition and is made up of a number of individual buildings which together is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register (file no.10859).
We are ensuring our historic structures and maintenance work are carried out to a high standard consistent with modern materials, techniques and trade practices without compromising the cultural significance of the place in accordance with the Community land management plan – Adelaide Town Hall complex (CLMP).
The Civic, Public and Function Centre uses include community services (such as concerts, weddings, graduations, and other events) and corporate services (Council and Committee meetings, civic receptions and accommodation for the Mayor, Councillors, CEO and Council administration).
What are we doing?
To ensure compliance with the CLMP, Adelaide Town Hall conservation works have been included as part of Council’s renewal works.
A façade dilapidation survey was completed identifying that conservation works are required. Some key issues highlighted include failure of water shedding surfaces, significant cracking, delamination and spalling of render and stone surfaces. These issues present potential public hazards and increased risk of further damage if left untreated.
Cleaning and conservation work will restore Adelaide Town Hall to its former glory.
When is this happening?
- The Adelaide Town Hall maintenance works commenced in September 2023 and will take approximately 16 months.
- Pirie Street Façade: September 2023 to March 2024 (Complete)
- Prince Alfred Lane: August 2024 to November 2024
- King William Street Façade: March 2024 to December 2024
Frequently asked questions
When a building is heritage listed, it means that any proposed additions or alterations to it must be assessed by Council with regard to its identified heritage values. It also means that funding is available for conservation works under Council’s Heritage Incentive Scheme.When a building is heritage listed, it means that any proposed additions or alterations to it must be assessed by Council with regard to its identified heritage values. It also means that funding is available for conservation works under Council’s Heritage Incentive Scheme.
There will be a mesh cover that conceals the scaffold that will be located in front of Adelaide Town Hall.
The works will be staged. A different section of the building will be worked on in each stage i.e., the section on King William Street in one stage, and the section on Pirie Street in another stage.
A survey that is undertaken to assess the existing condition of the building and identifies any maintenance works that needs to be undertaken. A façade is the external face of a building.
Water shedding means a surface that allows water to run off. When it fails water may penetrate the surface i.e., water leaks inside the building. If left untreated this may cause building damage.
Buildings may move over time due to changes in ground conditions. However, sometimes buildings are unable to accommodate this movement which may lead to cracking. When there is significant cracking, it can be visually unattractive and if left untreated may affect the integrity, safety and stability of the structure.
Delamination can be areas of the building having poor or no bonding between layers i.e., stone and a wall. Spalling is the formation of fragments of a material that has broken off a larger part i.e., parts of render falling off the wall. If left untreated external parts of stone and render may become loose and fall off the building.
Each Community Land Management Plan contains information about that type of Community Land, a City-wide location map, and the Council’s management objectives, strategies and performance targets for that land. For this project the Community land management plan – Adelaide Town Hall complex is applicable.
Need more information?
See our Adelaide Town Hall page for more and read about this project in our media release.
Contact Project Manager, Infrastructure Delivery, Victoria Kovalevski, for enquiries: