A Christchurch City Council committee has voted to fully retain the Town Hall's heritage, rather than redesign some parts of it to be more functional.
Four options for restoring the quake-damaged building are being considered.
All include restoring the main auditoriums but they differ on how much of the badly damaged southern wing should be kept as it was.
Option one calls for full restoration; the other three offer alternatives for rebuilding the wing, which includes a banquet hall and restaurant, so that it is more modern and functional.
The council's community, recreation and culture committee has accepted a staff recommendation that the heritage and identity maintained in option one outweigh any concerns about functionality.
The full council is due to vote on the options next Thursday.