Heritage Refurbishment - Old Choral Hall Portico

Old Choral Hall sits at the heart of The University of Auckland’s City Campus on the corner of Symonds and Alfred Streets.  Classified as a Category 1 Heritage Building, the original hall was built in 1872 and designed by prominent Auckland architect Edward Mahoney.

The Neo-Classical Old Choral Hall was the third performance venue built by the Auckland Choral Society after the previous two buildings were destroyed by arson. The masonry portico feature and the eight towering support columns were removed after the 1932 Napier earthquake out of concern for its structural integrity as it was seen as a potential collapse risk – resulting in the ‘incomplete’ appearance of the building.    

In 2025, the portico structure was reconstructed by Aspec, Allied Exteriors and Accumen working alongside Architectus and Archifact (Architecture & Conservation Ltd) as part of a comprehensive restoration and seismic strengthening project to return the building to its former glory.  

Reinstatement of the portico was undertaken utilising an integrated structural steel portal frame to provide seismic stiffening in conjunction with contemporary building materials including the Sto Armour Façade Panel Cladding System, Accumen mouldings and the Sto Armat Render System with StoLit MP Finishing Texture. 

For more information about our expertise in heritage façade repair and reinstatement, please contact us on (09) 479 8901 or call into see us at our office / showroom at 19A Triton Drive, Albany.