CLIENT: Wellington City Council
MAIN CONTRACTOR: Naylor Love
LOCATION: Wellington, NZ
JOB TYPE: Seismic Strengthening

Patton Engineering, Patton Asbuilt, Steel ED, and Patton are collectively working on the seismic strengthening of Wellington Town Hall—marking the first time these entities within the Patton Group have joined forces on a project. This collaboration represents a significant step forward for the group, taking on one of the city’s most notable heritage buildings.

Wellington Town Hall, with its iconic architecture and renowned acoustics, is being prepared to meet modern seismic standards while maintaining its cultural significance. Led by Naylor Love as the head contractor, this complex project aims to retrofit a base isolation system, designed to reduce seismic forces on the building during an earthquake.

What sets this project apart from standard seismic strengthening work is the intricate steel fabrication and installation. Patton Engineering has faced the challenge of installing steel in difficult and precarious positions, making the project more complex than typical seismic retrofits. To address these demands, Patton Engineering purchased a spider crane—one of only a few in New Zealand. This specialized equipment allows for precision placement of materials in confined spaces and challenging environments, ensuring the work is done safely and efficiently.

Adding further complexity to the project is the recent inclusion of the West Hall package. This expansion has extended the scope of the overall work and pushed the completion date to late 2025. The Patton Group’s expertise and commitment to innovation will be critical in managing these additional challenges while keeping the project on schedule.

Once finished, the redeveloped Wellington Town Hall will house the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), and many of the Wellington City Council’s civic activities. It will serve as a central hub for music and education in the city, drawing students, professionals, and creatives back into the heart of Wellington. The space, which will also feature the restored town hall organ, will be a premier venue for performances and educational programs, cementing its place as one of the world’s leading music centres.

Naylor Love, the project’s head contractor, has already dedicated five years to the seismic strengthening and redevelopment work. With the added scope of the West Hall and ongoing challenges, they are expected to remain on site for several more years to fully complete the renovation. However, with the collaborative efforts of Patton Engineering, Patton Asbuilt, Steel ED, and the wider Patton Group, the project is poised to transform the iconic building into a modern, resilient structure, ensuring it continues to serve as a cultural and civic hub for future generations.

This project not only highlights the technical capabilities of the Patton Group but also underscores the importance of their collaboration in tackling complex, large-scale infrastructure projects.