Victoria Public Hall is likely to be inaugurated next month after retrofitting

The renovated Victoria Public Hall is likely to be inaugurated next month, after retrofitting, conservation, and structural strengthening of the heritage building.

A senior official of the Greater Chennai Corporation said the restoration reached the final stage. Polishing is under way and the building will be ready in the first week of October. “It is likely to be inaugurated in the second week of October,” the official said.

A city museum will be developed downstairs in the 2,200-square metre structure, while the galleries upstairs will host music and arts events. The Chennai Corporation will soon start installing the city museum exhibits.

The Corporation has completed replicating the existing material of the building, which was designed by Robert Chisholm and built by Namberumal Chetty in 1888. It is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, said the official.

The two-storey building measures 48 metres in length and 24 metres in width. The height of the main roof is about 19 metres, while the total height of the tower is 34 metres. “We started the work on March 8, 2023, and completed structural repairs to the entire building, with seismic retrofitting, on September 15, 2025. The restoration of the roof has been completed. Exterior and Interior restoration, including wooden flooring and stairs, has been done. Work on architectural and façade lighting has also been completed,” said the official.

A decision on a sound and light show is expected to be taken later. Before the work started under Singara Chennai 2.0 in 2023, the civic body proposed a sound and light show to attract tourists. The project was originally announced in 2010 during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The plan was to use funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. But the work was held up by the Metro Rail project.