CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will open the renovated Victoria Public Hall for the public from December 26. Visitors can book their entry free of charge through the Corporation website (https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/) by selecting the ‘Victoria Public Hall’ option.
Entry is permitted by reservation only. The hall will be open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, with a maximum capacity of 60 people allowed during each 90-minute interval.
The Victoria Hall’s theatre arts centre is also open for bookings. Reservations can be made online, though usage is restricted to arts and general cultural events. Once a registration is submitted, the purpose of the event will be reviewed before final permission is granted.
Notably, Chief Minister MK Stalin had inaugurated the hall on Monday. The heritage structure was renovated at a cost of Rs 32.62 crore for over two years without altering its original architectural integrity.
Built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the iconic hall stands as a primary witness to Chennai’s social and cultural history. Following its extensive restoration, the building has been transformed into a public cultural space featuring a museum and an art gallery.
The ground-floor exhibition chronicles the hall’s benefactors, architects, and contractors, as well as the prominent leaders who spoke there. It also traces the rise of the Justice Party, the evolution of theatre and cinema, and the city’s sporting history.
The outdoor area includes a tram and an archaeological display. Visitors can also enjoy ‘Old Chennai’ themed selfie points, featuring a rickshaw, an old scooter, and a boat on the Buckingham Canal.