Scaffolding down on Hamilton city library’s $2.4m facelift

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

After months behind scaffolding, Hamilton’s central library has revealed its revamped facade⁠.

Hamilton Central Library’s new $2.4 million facelift is now on display in Garden Place, and initial reviews of the new look are mixed.⁠

Work to revamp the facade of the 1970s building began last year.

Hamilton City Council said at the time that water damage in difficult-to-access areas ruled out “quick fixes” as an option.

Hamilton Central resident Julia Hamon is a frequent user of the library and is a fan of the new facade.

“It just modernises the central city and makes it feel a little less graffitied, for want of a better word,” Hamon said.

She hardly hears the construction noise when she’s at home, though she isn’t there during the day in any case.

“They start at like 7am and they knock off at 5pm. If it went any later than that, I think I'd have a big problem.”

Hamon said she hopes there will be some planting out the front to “make it feel a little more homely and a little less like a building site”.

Mr Twist owner Dave Murray isn’t a fan and preferred the old mural that fronted the library.

“The LED thing sticking out, I think it’s just gimmicky and not that inviting.”

Murray is pushing for the council to build a new playground out the front because it would “bring back a bit of life to Garden Place”.

Hamilton Central Business Association general manager Vanessa Williams said it’s a statement piece for the area.

“It's investment. It means that the central city is continuing to develop, evolve and meet the needs of, of our people coming in, visitors and experiences”.

Hamilton City Libraries director Paula Murdoch said they are happy with the progress.

“Now that the scaffolding has come down and you can see half of the design, it’s looking fantastic. You can really see how the artist's impression has come to life.”

The project is set to be finished by early May.