Pretoria City Hall

Pretoria City Hall
Pretoria Stadsaal
Pretoria City Hall as seen from Pretorius square.
Pretoria City Hall as seen from Pretorius Square.
The City Hall is located on the Pretorius Square in central Pretoria, close to Church square and opposite the Transvaal Museum.
The City Hall is located on the Pretorius Square in central Pretoria, close to Church square and opposite the Transvaal Museum.
Location in central Pretoria
The City Hall is located on the Pretorius Square in central Pretoria, close to Church square and opposite the Transvaal Museum.
The City Hall is located on the Pretorius Square in central Pretoria, close to Church square and opposite the Transvaal Museum.
Pretoria City Hall (Gauteng)
General information
StatusRecently restored
TypeCity Hall
Architectural styleSemi-Italian classical style[1]
AddressPaul Kruger street
Town or cityPretoria
CountrySouth Africa
Coordinates25°45′12″S 28°11′13″E / 25.75333°S 28.18694°E / -25.75333; 28.18694
Construction started1931
Completed1935
OwnerCity of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
References
http://gopretoria.co.za/pretoria-city-hall
The City Hall in 1988
Close-up view of the portico

Pretoria City Hall is a large building in Pretoria city centre, South Africa, which was built in 1931 and inaugurated in 1935 in order to celebrate the city-status of Pretoria obtained in 1931.[2] It is located on the Paul Kruger Street south of Church Square and across the street from the Transvaal Museum.

History

In 1926 a competition was held to design the future city hall of Pretoria and the winning design was by F.G. McIntosh. Due to the economic difficulties of the then South African Republic, construction of the City Hall started in 1931 and was completed in 1935.[3]

The Hall was completed in the Semi-Italian classical style and a George Heys, the former owner of Melrose House donated the 32 tower bells found in the hall today.[4]

Pretorius Square

The Pretorius Square lies in front of the building including fountains and maintained gardens. Three statues of significant figures decorate the park;

Contemporary use

The hall used to serve as a venue for concerts and organized events including weddings. The main auditorium has a large stage and was used for classical music concerts and many other social events. But since 2016, it has been closed to the general use of the public. It seems that the current council has no intention of opening it up to the public ever again.[5]

Future use

TBA

References

  1. ^ "Pretoria City Hall – Go Pretoria South Africa".
  2. ^ "Pretoria City Hall – Go Pretoria South Africa".
  3. ^ "Pretoria City Hall – Go Pretoria South Africa".
  4. ^ "Pretoria City Hall – Go Pretoria South Africa".
  5. ^ "Pretoria City Hall – Go Pretoria South Africa".


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