Albert Hall will be under the care of the ACT Government’s Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) from 1 July, but what does that mean? Photo: Michelle Kroll.
It was the nation’s capital’s first cinema.
And the place where the royal commission into espionage was held after the Petrovksy Affair, which drew international attention.
Nowadays, you might know it best as the venue for the annual Giant Charity LEGO Sale, where members of the public can rifle through tubs of loose LEGO and snag a kilo for a bargain $30.
But Albert Hall, the old federation-style building off Commonwealth Avenue, is entering a “new chapter”.
To clarify, it will remain under the care of the ACT Government but, from 1 July, through its Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC).
This is the same body in charge of significant cultural landmarks such as the Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes House and Mugga-Mugga Cottage.
Albert Hall represents the first addition to the CFC portfolio in more than 20 years, with Mugga-Mugga being the last in 2004.
Albert Hall in 1928. Photo: William James Mildenhall, National Library of Australia.
The government says the decision is “part of its commitment to enhancing the cultural and heritage value of the venue, ensuring it remains a vibrant, accessible and sustainable part of Canberra’s cultural life for generations to come”.
“A key aim of this move is to increase the utilisation of this much-loved and iconic building, supporting it to reach its full potential as a centre for creative and community life in the city.”
So, what’s going to change?
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra is a regular user of Albert Hall. Photo: CSO.
CFC CEO Gordon Ramsay says up until now, Albert Hall has been little more than “a venue for hire” under the management of the government property body, Infrastructure Canberra.
“There’s a website there and either individuals or groups can arrange to hire it, as a very good version of a community hall effectively,” he says.
“Bringing it under the Cultural Facilities Corporation … we’re hoping to beef that up, but it also means we bring the expertise we have in managing heritage organisations … like Calthorpes House and Mugga-Mugga Cottage and Lanyon Homestead to this one.”
Albert Hall was built in 1927, the same year as Calthorpes House and the opening of the original Parliament House.
“I was down doing a site tour yesterday and looking into the old projection room there – because this was the cinema for the nation’s capital back in the 1920s – and it’s an amazing place,” Mr Ramsay said.
“There’s wonderful history here and that’s one of the things that we want to look through: What is it we might be able to do that helps members of the public engage in this wonderful history?”
The CFC will set up meetings over the coming months with various community members, as well as advocacy group Friends of Albert Hall, which was formed in 2007 to protect the property from “intrusive development”.
Inside the projection room at Albert Hall. Photo: Gordon Ramsay.
But for now, at the top of the to-do list is repairing the roof which was damaged in a hail storm in 2023.
Works have been delayed due to the need for a specific type of old-style roof tile, but will start in earnest come January 2026.
“All those repairs will be done both inside and out to the roof and ceiling to bring that up, and that gives us the chance to be looking at what else might be needed around the building,” Mr Ramsay says.
For now, Albert Hall remains open for business, with a new website for bookings and events to go live from Tuesday, 1 July.
People can also contact management by email at alberthall@act.gov.au.
