Auckland’s event and performing arts hub, Aotea Centre is preparing to close in October to undergo a major refurbishment of the building’s interior. Expected to open again around March in 2019, the renovation will include new foyers and entrance ways with a glass ticketing office next to its BOX Café and Bar. On the different levels of Aotea Centre, new bars and exhibition areas are set to be created, featuring new floors, wall treatments and updated lighting.
The extensive refurbishment will be the building’s first in 28 years. The new interior overhaul and modern façade will complement the exterior refurbishment which is also in progress. Stainless steel interlocking plates over stone panels and new glass balustrades on the balconies will update the style of the Centre.
Aotea Centre Box Office will be moved to The Civic Box Office during the closure, and the BOX Café and Bar will temporarily open outside the Centre in a purpose-built pop-up container.
“Our vision is for the refurbished and expanded Aotea Centre to be a performing arts hub forming the creative heart of Auckland. It will be a modern, vibrant and inspiring venue for performing artists and patrons as well as conferences and trade shows, and an innovative home base for performing arts organisations across the country,” said Chris Brooks, RFA chief executive.
“We look forward to unveiling the first phase, our upgraded Aotea Centre, to Aucklanders in March. We know it will be a fitting venue for the Auckland Arts Festival, one of our city’s most inspiring arts events.”
