Originally modelled on Leipzig's Gewandhaus, Auckland's Town Hall is the city's most important heritage building. It now forms one of the four constituent parts of The Edge centre, alongside the Civic Theatre, Aotea Centre and Aotea Square, Auckland's artistic powerhouse.
Designed by architects J J & E Clarke, Auckland Town Hall was officially opened in 1911. It was fully restored to its original splendour in 1997, with a NZ$33 million facelift that rediscovered the original oval stained-glass windows stored in the basement. The Town Hall houses not only the 1673-seat Great Hall and 497-seat Concert Chamber, but also the city's council chamber and mayoral offices.
It is the Auckland home to concerts given both by the New Zealand Symphony and local Auckland Philharmonia.