Albert Hall renewal wins International Architecture Award

Published on 13 August 2026

The renovation of Launceston’s Albert Hall has won an international architecture award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the project was selected for the coveted award alongside an international suite of high-profile projects the museum’s expert panel selected from more than 1200 submissions.

“This is a huge honour for everyone involved in bringing the Albert Hall back to life, particularly our architects TERROIR, and a real testament to the vision, care and commitment they brought to the project.

“The Albert Hall is such an important part of Launceston’s story, and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been able to respect and celebrate its heritage while giving this iconic building a new life for generations to come.”

Mayor Garwood said the Albert Hall would now be featured in the international exhibition New International Architecture 2026 in Athens and included in the publication Global Design + Urbanism XXVI.

Built in 1891, to house the Tasmanian Industrial Exhibition of 1891-92, the Albert Hall went on to become Launceston’s premier events venue, from concerts and graduations to sittings of State Parliament.

The $20 million refurbishment project, which will ensure the Albert Hall continues as a public venue into the future, has now won multiple awards, including the Alan C. Walker Award for Public Architecture and the EmAGN Project Award at this year’s Tasmanian Architecture Awards. The latest award will be presented by the Chicago Athenaeum at a gala function in Athens next month.