Protecting Our Heritage

Maori Heritage Archaeological Sites Local Government Heritage Covenants Funding for Heritage Protection Heritage at Risk

May 2002

Armson Woolstore, Christchurch

One of Christchurch's most significant industrial buildings faces an uncertain future.

The Armson woolstore as it was when new, and could look again.

One of Christchurch's most significant industrial buildings, an imposing two storeyed brick woolstore designed by William Armson in 1881 for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Corporation Ltd, faces an uncertain future.

It was built beside the railway lines so that waggons could unload directly into the centre of the ground floor. Robust walls of treble brick construction feature repeated arched forms while the interior is notable for the use of massive adzed timber posts and beams which support the upper floor. The building was used for storage until the early 1990s. The woolstore reflects the importance of the wool industry in Canterbury. The Trust has recognised the woolstore's importance with a category 1 registration.

In 1994, adjacent woolstores were successfully developed as a retail block. It was thought that the Armson building would be given a new use as part of this development. Several ideas were put forward, but none came to fruition. So what use can a large, redundant nineteenth century woolstore like this be put to?

A similar complex in America was converted to an art museum but in New Zealand, with its small population, many overseas solutions will not work. The building overlooks railway yards and does not have immediate appeal for conversion to apartments. It clearly merits conservation but must have a viable new use if this is to be achieved.

Can you help with ideas about possible new uses or sources of funding? If you can, please contact the Trust's Southern Regional Office, P O Box 4403, Christchurch, tel. 03 365 2897 or send an email.