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City Hall makeover well on track<p>​Standing proud and tall, 111 years on, the grand old dame’s nip here and a tuck there has helped to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this icon both internally and externally. The City of Cape Town is in the process of further upgrading the City Hall and surrounding area to make it attractive for events.</p><p>One of the most significant facets of the future upgrades will be the major restoration work to be carried out on the carillon in City Hall – a musical instrument that comprises tuned brass bells that hang in a tower-like structure. The City Hall carillon boasts 39 brass bells, making this the largest and heaviest such instrument in the southern hemisphere. The plan is to complete the carillon refurbishment in 2018, in time to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I.</p> <span> <div class="image-gallery-slider img-gal-1" id="img-gal-1" data-slides="3" data-slide="1" style="height:493.5px;"><div class="image-gallery-content" style="height:414px;">​​​​ <figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-1"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/_BES1637.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> <figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p>The City Hall Organ is undergoing restoration.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-2"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/City%20Hall%20Organ.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> <figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p>View of the organ pipes from the main hall.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-3"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/cityhall20170621_0022.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> <figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p>Cllr Stuart Diamond, Mayoral Committee Member for Asset and Facilities Management, conducted a site visit to the City Hall to inspect progress on the upgrades.</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="image-gallery-control"><div class="image-gallery-caption"> </div> <div class="image-gallery-nav"><div class="nav-info">1 of 3</div><div class="slide-next"> <i class="icon arrow-white-next"></i> </div><div class="slide-prev"> <i class="icon arrow-white-prev"></i>​</div></div></div></div>​​</span> <p>The ringing of the carillon, which is sounded from a keyboard, is a ‘call to concert’ both before a performance and at the interval. The barrel-playing instrument has been put to work twice now, ringing the 30-minute, 15-minute and five-minute calls for two minutes at a time.</p><p>The ringing of the carillon has once again created a palpable buzz among those who remember the bells from bygone days and has become somewhat of a novelty for the newer generation of concert-goers. </p><p>At this stage, the carillon is driven by the barrel player, a sort of automatic pilot with a limited repertoire using only 12 of the 39 bells. The full carillon can be played by a competent organist, using lots of energy and both hands and feet, with relative ease. It also allows for a much larger selection of tunes, including popular and less traditional sounds to ring out – a signal that things are on the move at City Hall and the beginning of a new tradition to the sights and sounds of the city. Part of the plan includes training aspirant carillonneurs so that the City is never again short of players for this fine piece of equipment.</p><p>‘City Hall is one of our oldest and most central public spaces, with a rich history that resonates with residents across the city and the rest of South Africa. As a key strategic asset of the City, its upkeep and maintenance has to be done with the utmost care to preserve the integrity of this heritage building and the equipment within. The refurbishment will enhance the aesthetics of the building and, given its proximity to the Grand Parade, Old Drill Hall and Castle of Good Hope, will establish this precinct as the historical and cultural heart of Cape Town. This is in line with the priorities of the City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan which seeks to optimise our natural and strategic assets,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Assets and Facilities Management, Councillor Stuart Diamond.</p><p>In addition to the above, the scope of work included repainting the main entrance hall and the auditorium, refurbishment of the slate roof, and repairs to the organ. The roof covering is a natural slate that has been imported from Galicia in north-west Spain where it is mined. Work on the City Hall roof is practically completed. </p><p>The work of the City Hall Steering Committee, chaired by Councillor Diamond, is progressing well. Stakeholder engagement sessions have been held with big businesses within the precinct to undertstand the opportunities and challenges faced. Additionally, the steering committee (made up of internal and external role players) is driving the refurbishment plan in a coordinated manner to ensure that the facility is brought up to standard within the current building codes and without compromising its heritage significance. </p><p>‘We are in the process of developing a conservation management plan (CMP) for City Hall which will go out for public comment in due course. Thereafter, it will go through to Heritage Western Cape for the necessary approval. We are working towards completion of this entire process and finalisation of the CMP. The refurbishment will help to determine and implement appropriate civic uses and tenants for the facility. In turn, this will help to boost the economic sustainability of this key strategic asset.</p><p>‘We are certain that with the current revamp and the future plans for City Hall’s sustainability, this grand old dame will continue to stand tall and proud against the backdrop of the majestic Table Mountain. Additionally, the proposals to honour Madiba’s legacy with permanent installations here will add to the enrichment of the City Hall’s appeal as an attraction for locals and visitors,’ added Councillor Diamond.</p><p>Additional planned upgrades spanning the next three financial years will include a revamp of the stage, backstage area, auditorium seating, venue acoustics, and banqueting rooms as well as the installation of new mechanical ventilation. All of this additional work will cost in the region of R27 million which will be spread across this period.</p>2017-06-29T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#25ac58cc-e33e-4241-aac5-50e54d948741;L0|#025ac58cc-e33e-4241-aac5-50e54d948741|City Hall;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#ae6c709e-f5be-4c1a-82bb-fa1ca9324c61;L0|#0ae6c709e-f5be-4c1a-82bb-fa1ca9324c61|strategic assets;GP0|#43259544-912c-4057-8b99-b8e8a01bfae4;L0|#043259544-912c-4057-8b99-b8e8a01bfae4|Cape Town1

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