Historic town hall set for new lease of life

City of Sydney

Paddington Town Hall is about to undergo a multi-million-dollar revamp and the City of Sydney is asking local communities for their feedback on one of the city’s most important civic buildings.

Built in 1891, the state heritage listed town hall features rare interior elements by Walter Burley Griffin, the renowned architect responsible for the design of Canberra. 

“This wonderful building is emblematic of the Victorian free classical architecture of the time and is now being given its first major upgrade in more than 50 years,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

“We’re asking the community to share their stories with us about the building, what their connection is and what memories they have of this historic venue.”

The original building cost £13,000 including furnishings and a 32-metre-tall clock tower. The clock itself was not installed until 1905, to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII. 

In the 1930s the large main hall was used for numerous community events including balls, formal dinners, lectures, wedding receptions and public ceremonies. 

In 1966 it was the venue for the first Aboriginal Debutante Ball in Sydney and in the 1970s sell-out crowds flocked to the main hall to watch performances from seminal punk bands like The Saints and Radio Birdman. 

It later played host to the RAT (Recreational Arts Team) parties of the 1980s, hosted by Jac Vidgen and others, which were forerunners to the dance and rave scene of the 90s. 

Today the historic town hall houses a library and cinema, and Stapleton Hall is used by arts and cultural organisations, community groups, charities and schools.

The community consultation will help inform the design for the building’s renewal, the next phase of the renovation. 

The works will make the building more accessible, welcoming and functional, with the proposed renewal aiming to: 

• modernise building services and facilities
• improve access and versatility of internal spaces
• repair and protect important heritage elements
• enhance the building’s role as a hub for cultural and community use, including retaining the library jointly operated by the City of Sydney and Woollahra Council.

The community consultation will be open until 25 September. The designs for the building’s renewal will be published and open for feedback in 2026. 

For media enquiries contact Nicky Breen. Phone 0436 599 861 or email [email protected]

For interviews with the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO contact Andrew Booth. Phone 0482 530 091 or email [email protected]  

For more stories from your local area, visit news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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