Auckland's Aotea Centre to close for six months for major interior refurbishment

Auckland's Aotea Centre will close for six months while interior refurbishments are underway which will introduce a new entrance and foyers as well as bars and exhibition spaces. Photo / Supplied

Auckland's Aotea Centre will close for six months to make way for major interior refurbishment that Auckland Council says will greatly benefit the performing arts and events hub.

Between October and March the centre will be closed to the public, with the new-look centre marked to reopen for the Auckland Arts Festival in March 2019.

The refurbishment, the first major one in 28 years, includes a new entrance and foyers, with a new glass ticketing office adjacent to existing BOX Café and Bar.

New bars and exhibition spaces will be created on different levels, with updated lighting, floor and wall treatments.

"This is the Aotea Centre's first major refurbishment in 28 years, with the interior overhaul set to complement the exterior refurbishment currently underway.

An artists impression of Aotea Centre after refurbishments are completed in March. Photo / Supplied

"The regeneration includes a modern new façade, with stainless steel interlocking plates over stone panels and glass balustrades on the balconies, Regional Facilities Auckland Chief Executive Chris Brooks said.

The Aotea Centre Box Office will move to the Civic Box Office, and the popular BOX Café and Bar will have a temporary new home in Aotea Square, operating out of a purpose-built pop-up container during the closure.

Brooks said the new-look centre would pave the way for Aotea Studios.

The studio would be a complementary, purpose-built performing arts expansion to be constructed within the "property footprint" within the next few years.

The expansion will house rehearsal and performance spaces for music, drama and dance, state-of-the-art digital recording facilities, and office and retail areas.

"Our vision is for the refurbished and expanded Aotea Centre to be a performing arts hub forming the creative heart of Auckland," Brooks said.

"It will be a modern, vibrant and inspiring venue for performing artists and patrons as well as conferences and tradeshows; and an innovative home base for performing arts organisations across the country."