New Waikato Regional Theatre

Imagine a world-class performing arts centre capable of hosting a plethora of shows, right in the heart of Hamilton City. This dream of many is now finally coming to light, as construction progresses at the new Waikato Regional Theatre.

The $80m Waikato Regional Theatre project has just passed an important construction milestone with completion of glazed curtainwall panels featuring the 175mm Structural Glaze commercial window system from APL Window Systems.

Manufactured and installed by local Vantage manufacturer, Wight Aluminium, the 175mm Structural Glaze system is present on all elevations, particularly on Hamilton’s main street frontage, on Victoria St, and on the building rear overlooking the Waikato River where multi-storey glazing illuminates a light-filled atrium and gives wide views of the region’s historic awa.

For over 50 years APL has had strong roots in the Waikato and continues to devote time and resources to the Waikato community. We are a proud major sponsor of this multi-purpose, world-class performing arts centre, which was designed by international theatre architects Charcoalblue, in partnership with New Zealand architects Jasmax. 

The Waikato is a vibrant and culturally diverse region, and the redesign of this historic building is an excellent opportunity to bring communities together in a creative, modern, and open space.

The new development has retained and restored the façade of the old Hamilton Hotel, a heritage building at the south end of Victoria St, which was built in the Beaux Arts architectural style in the 1920’s.

The arts centre will have a 1300-seat auditorium, with circle balconies and flexible staging, is able to host drama, kapa haka, concerts, musicals, ballet, opera and community ceremonies. The building is being funded by a mix of public, trust and philanthropic monies, including APL’s parent company, Profile Group.

The new centre’s widespread use of 175mm Structural Glaze system, alongside commercial doors from the Magnum and APL Architectural Series, also has double-glazed units throughout from sister company, AGP (Architectural Glass Products). The Waikato Theatre project is a significant AGP commercial contract and features 70x very tall IGU’s measuring 4300mm high by 560mm wide on the Heritage Wall on Victoria St.