CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday inaugurated the restored Victoria Public Hall, reopening one of Chennai’s oldest public assembly spaces after nearly two years of renovation. He also laid the foundation stone for a new Corporation council hall at the Ripon Buildings campus.

Estimated to cost around Rs 74.70 crore, the proposed council hall will have a council chamber with a seating capacity of 300 members and other supporting facilities.

Renovation of the 19th-century Victoria Public Hall was taken up under the Singara Chennai 2.0 programme at a cost of Rs.32.62 crore, with works beginning on March 20, 2023. The building had remained closed for several years due to structural deterioration and safety concerns. The restoration was carried out without altering the original architectural character of the heritage structure.

Built in 1887 in the Indo-Saracenic style by architect Robert Chisholm, the hall was originally constructed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Over the decades, it served as a venue for public meetings, political gatherings, theatre performances and early cinema screenings, before falling into disuse due to lack of maintenance.

The two-level structure has now been refurbished to function as a public cultural and civic facility. The ground floor houses a museum and exhibition space, documenting the history of the hall. The first floor has been restored as a cultural performance and assembly hall, intended for public meetings, lectures, seminars, government events and cultural programmes.

Restoration works included strengthening of the structure, roof repairs, refurbishment of wooden flooring and staircases, conservation of exterior and interior surfaces, and upgrading of lighting, power supply and safety systems to enable regular public access. The hall has also been adapted to withstand seismic activity, as per current safety norms.

The surrounding premises have been reorganised to support visitor access, with outdoor displays recalling old Madras, including tramway models and heritage-themed installations. Officials indicated that the restored hall is intended to remain in regular public use, rather than being limited to ceremonial events, though detailed guidelines on bookings and operations are yet to be announced.