Main Hall (Renewed),
Nagoya City Assembly Hall

After undergoing its 3rd renovation, Nagoya City Assembly Hall reopens

Nagoya City Assembly Hall is regarded as one of the iconic examples of public hall architecture, along with Osaka's Central Assembly Hall and Tokyo's Hibiya Assembly Hall. With its dating back to October 1930, the Nagoya City Assembly Hall served as the Air Defense Forces headquarters during World War II. Following the war, it was transformed into a leisure and welfare facility for the U.S. Air Force. The public hall's functions were temporarily suspended, but since it was restored to Nagoya City's authority in 1956, it has been widely admired and today is one of the most popular cultural and social halls in Japan.  In 1989, it was designated as an essential urban landscape structure in accordance with the Nagoya City Urban Landscape Ordinance.

The building stands in a corner of the verdant Tsurumai Park. The structure is equipped with one basement level and four above-ground stories as well as the main hall, a fourth-floor hall and nine rooms which are used for meetings and other events.  Due to the effects of aging, it was necessary for the structure to undergo renovations in 1956 and 1980. In 2017, a major renovation that took nearly two years was begun.

The key to this renovation was the preservation of the Nagoya City Assembly Hall's historical value for future generations. The exterior and interior design of the building have been retained practically intact through diligent restoration work to maintain the ambiance of its original appearance.

In honor of the building's continued preservation of its original look since the initial opening day, it was designated as Tangible Cultural Properties (structures) on August 17, 2020.

Mail Hall's audience seating restored to its original design

The Main Hall was restored using the seat design provided by Kotobuki Seating when the building was completed in 1930. A catalog photograph from Kotobuki Seating at that time gave clues about the restoration.

The backrest padding authentically recreated the notch design of the period. The bright red  moquette upholstery and its edging, together with the dark-toned wood of the backrest, create a nostalgic atmosphere throughout the seating area. The specifications of balcony seats on the second floor and the seats on the third floor are high-backed due to the high-step stairs.

The seat legs, done in the Maruhachi mark (a mascot of Nagoya City), were originally made of cast metal, but they are now made from die-cast aluminum. Despite their slim curved shapes, they are strong and stable. Being formed from natural wood, the elbow pads emphasize tactile sensations. The surface forms a smooth comfortable arc, making for a comfortable armrest, and the ends are rounded to provide a convenient resting spot for the fingertips.

While reviving the original design, we have applied advanced technology to improve functionality and seating comfort. The seat size was adjusted to fit the physique of the contemporary audience. Using urethane cushions and corrugated springs, the seats were designed to provide comfortable seating even for a long period of time.

The Nagoya City Assembly Hall, a retro building from the Showa era, has been carefully preserved. It is expected that the history will be passed on to the Heisei Era and the Reiwa Era.

[Updated on 2nd November 2021]