Old Government Building, Christchurch

Old Government Building
Old Government Building in 2015
General information
Architectural style Italian High Renaissance palazzo
Location Christchurch Central City
Address 98 Worcester St
Town or city Christchurch
Country New Zealand
Coordinates 43°18′55″S 172°22′54″E / 43.31518°S 172.381692°E / -43.31518; 172.381692Coordinates: 43°18′55″S 172°22′54″E / 43.31518°S 172.381692°E / -43.31518; 172.381692
Construction started 1910
Completed 1913
Design and construction
Architect Joseph Clarkson Maddison
Awards and prizes Canterbury Heritage Awards – Seismic category winner in 2012 and Built Heritage Award winner in 2010
Designated 5 April 1984
Reference no. 301

The former Government Building is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by Joseph Clarkson Maddison in 1909.[1] It is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand.

History

The building was designed to centralise various government departments in Christchurch that had previously been housed in the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings and other rented spaces throughout the city.[2][3] The Government Buildings opened in 1913 and housed various Government departments up until the 1980s. The last Government department to occupy the building was the Ministry of Works and Development.[1] After being vacant for some time the building was threaten to be demolished in 1991. On 11 July 1991 the Christchurch City Council purchased the building from the government for $735,000. The council then sold it to the ‘Symphony Group’ in 1995 it was converted into a hotel with the conditions to strengthen and conserve the building.[1][4] It is now home to the Heritage Hotel Christchurch and the bar O.G.B.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Search the List | Old Government Building | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  2. "The architectural heritage of Christchurch. 5. Government Buildings" (PDF). Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  3. "Search the List | Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  4. "Heritage Christchurch Foundation Laid – 1911". Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History. 1 January 1911. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  5. "Heritage Christchurch". Heritage Hotels. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  6. "OGB Cafe & Bar, Christchurch NZ". OGB Bar & Cafe. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
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