The Old Government Building is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by Joseph Maddison in 1909 for use by government departments.[1] It is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand.
| 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°31′52″S 172°38′17″E / 43.53106°S 172.638075°E |
| Construction started | 1910 |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph 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 |
History
editThe 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 Building 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 threatened 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 and 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
edit
- ^ a b c "Old Government Building". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "The architectural heritage of Christchurch. 5. Government Buildings" (PDF). Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Search the List | Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Heritage Christchurch Foundation Laid – 1911". Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History. 1 January 1911. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Heritage Christchurch". Heritage Hotels. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "OGB Cafe & Bar, Christchurch NZ". OGB Bar & Cafe. Retrieved 17 February 2017.