Mayne Hall restoration
The University is restoring Mayne Hall as a space for keynote lectures, music performances and graduations.
The investment, backed by generous community support, will enhance the University’s cultural and events experience at St Lucia to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Mayne Bequest and the Art Museum’s 50th anniversary.
Opened in 1973, it hosted major University events before becoming the UQ Art Museum in 2004.
The restored pipe organ, which stands 2 storeys high and consists of 3,283 pipes, will remain a feature in the refurbished venue.
At the same time, the University will invest in a purpose-built, architecturally designed art gallery for the UQ Art Museum, located in the iconic Forgan Smith Tower.
The restored Mayne Hall is expected to be open for bookings in May 2027, with the aim for graduations to return from mid-2027.
Features
The restored hall will accommodate more than 800 people with flexible seating arrangements and new mezzanine seating. The external pond will be removed to create a covered break out space, which will be complemented by landscaping.
The design respects the building’s history by preserving its original fabric, showcasing the historic organ as part of the stage, and retaining the stained-glass windows in the foyer.
During early works more than 3,190 metres of timber was reclaimed and 2,900 metres will be reused in the new hall design.
Architect appointment
Property and Facilities is working with representatives of future user groups of Mayne Hall on the design and restoration plans.
Wilson’s Architects is leading the design, bringing their experience and expertise from working on the previous conversion of Mayne Hall to an art museum.
Managing construction impacts and maintaining safety
UQ and its contractors will aim to minimise disruption as much as possible.
A construction management plan will be in place to ensure safety and minimise noise, dust, vibration and other disruptions as much as possible.
Works will be carried out from Monday to Friday between 6am and 6pm, with Saturday works by exception.
For more details, including parking and traffic changes, visit road and building works updates.
Protecting key features
During construction, special care is being taken to protect the historic pipe organ, and the coloured-glass windows (1972) by Nevil Matthews on the eastern side of the building.
The organ is enclosed in a sealed temporary structure with a filtered air system to manage temperature and protect it from construction activities including dust.
The coloured-glass windows are protected by a solid, full‑height temporary wall, sealed to keep out dust and fitted with ventilation and fans.
Current works
Site mobilisation works - July 2027
With early works now complete, contractors will be mobilising equipment, personnel, and traffic management systems in preparation for main construction.
This will involve changes to the site compound set up and installation of fencing around the perimeter of Mayne Hall. Work will also include material deliveries, concreting works, and service investigations.
To enable this, there will be changes to traffic and pedestrian access in the area and a new footpath will be installed on the western side of the upper Forgan Smith Lawn. Traffic management and detours will be in place to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians, in line with an approved traffic management plan.
The existing site offices will be temporarily relocated by crane to the Forgan Smith Lawn during concreting works, before returning to their original location for the remainder of the project.
There will also be increased construction noise and truck movements, and the project team will continue to minimise disruption as much as possible.
Contact
For enquiries about planned works, email projectcomms@uq.edu.au.
Artist impressions
