Michael Fowler Centre

The Michael Fowler Centre is a concert hall and convention centre in Wellington, New Zealand. It was constructed on reclaimed land next to Civic Square, and is the pre-eminent concert site in central Wellington.

Michael Fowler Centre
The Michael Fowler Centre from Whairepo Lagoon
General information
TypeConcert hall and convention centre
LocationWellington
Coordinates41.289421°S 174.778053°E / -41.289421; 174.778053
Construction started1980
Completed1983
Technical details
Floor count3
Design and construction
ArchitectWarren and Mahoney
Other designersAcoustic assistance from A. Harold Marshall
Other information
Seating capacityseats up to 2,209 for concerts and has a classroom capacity for 1,035 persons

Commissioned in 1975, building began in 1980; the centre officially opened on 16 September 1983. It was designed by Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney of Warren and Mahoney,[1] with acoustic assistance from Professor A. Harold Marshall,[2] formerly the Head of Auckland University's Acoustics Research Centre. It is named after the primary promoter of its construction, Sir Michael Fowler, at the time the mayor of Wellington.[3] The auditorium seats 2210 people during a concert, and 1035 during a classroom type event.

The centre is used by international and local acts, conferences, and summits; it is also the home of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and ARISE Church.[4]

The venue is now part of the Venues Wellington group of venues, managed by the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency.

Significant events

On 20 and 21 March 2018 the exterior of the venue was lit for the first time in the colours of the trans flag (pink, white and blue) in memory of Zena Campbell who died in February 2018.[5] The Mayor of Wellington Justin Lester lit the venue to coincide with a Vigil for Zena which was held in Civic Square on the evening of 20 March 2018.[6] Lester posted on his official Facebook page "We're standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder with the pride and trans community."[7] During Wellington's Pride Festival in March 2019, the Michael Fowler Centre was lit in the colors of the LGBTI rainbow flag.

  • Centre lit in the colors of the rainbow flag in March 2018 and 2019

See also

References
  1. Warren and Mahoney architects
  2. CAD files of the Michael Fowler Centre Archived 10 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  3. History of the Michael Fowler Centre
  4. "Church plans major complex in Petone". The Dominion Post (Wellington). 17 January 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. "She was my best friend". Stuff. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  6. "Zena Campbell vigil". PrideNZ.com. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  7. "Justin Lester Facebook page". Facebook.com. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
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