Heritage Hotel in midst of external restoration project
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
22 January 2008
Christchurch's landmark Heritage
Hotel is enjoying a new lease on life - thanks to a $95,000 grant
from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
The Heritage Christchurch is celebrating the completion
of the second stage of a three-part programme of conservation maintenance
on its 98-year-old exterior.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust approved a National
Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund (NHPIF) grant of $95,000 for
restoration to the buildings deteriorating stonework in 2005. The work
was divided into three stages over as many years.
The former Government Building is registered as a Category I building
on the Historic Places
Trust Register, a reflection of its status as a place of national
significance, and is listed as a Group I historic place on the Christchurch
City Council district plan.
The NHPIF is administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and
was established in 2003 for the purpose of providing financial incentive
to encourage the preservation of nationally significant (Category I) heritage
properties in private ownership. The fund allows owners to have professional
conservation work conducted on their heritage properties. Projects such
as stabilisation, repairs and restoration relating to structure, conservation
work relating to land and archaeological sites, or professional services
such as condition reports or conservation plans are all eligible for NHPIF
funding.
Other significant South Island buildings which have secured NHPIF funding
are Christchurch's former New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Woolstore, also
known as the Dalgetys Building, and the Antigua Boatsheds, which had substantial
structural and water proofing conservation work completed in March 2007.
Prior to the lodgment of the funding application by the owners of the
Heritage Christchurch, a comprehensive condition report was carried out
by stonemason and conservation consultants, Goldfield Stone Ltd. The report
identified the condition of the stone work to be mostly fairly good but
that some required urgent stabilization. One of the major hazards was
to passing pedestrians, with the worst affected areas of the building
being the Oamaru limestone string courses (horizontal stone bands) which
sit above the heads of passers by.
Following a site visit to inspect the completed work NZHPT General Manager
Southern Malcolm Duff expressed his admiration of the work that had been
done.
"I have been particularly impressed by the desire of the Heritage
Christchurch and its owners to maintain the aesthetic quality of the building
through careful replacement and renovation of the string course - the
craftsman who have undertaken the work have demonstrated high quality
skills. This is a very good example of the use of Incentive Fund money
where joint funding of the project is producing a good outcome for the
preservation of this landmark building."
Designed by Joseph C Maddison in 1911, the Government Building opened
in 1913 and housed various government departments for more than seventy
years. Maddison, who designed a number of industrial buildings in Christchurch
and specialized in the design of freezing works, also designed Cathedral
Square's Warners Hotel.
It has been said that the Government Building was Maddison's 'crowning
achievement', with its significance predominantly attributed to its architectural
merit. It was modeled on the High Renaissance palazzo of Italian cities
such as Florence, and has been said to 'carry within itself the language
of Greece and Rome'. Its connection with central government and particularly
the expansion of the Public Works department is also of national, social
and historical significance.
After a rocky road to retention and much public debate, the Christchurch
City Council purchased the building in 1991. In 1993 the council commissioned
a conservation plan which specified the historic values and feasible and
compatible uses for the building. It was sold to its current owners in
1995.
Now part of the renowned Heritage Hotel chain, owned by Heritage Hotel
Management, the building has been transformed into an accessible and highly
successful hotel with a ground floor beauty salon, bar, cellar restaurant,
gymnasium, swimming pool and spa. With the third stage of the NHPIF funded
stone restoration due to take place in late 2008 this building is one
the Christchurch City Council, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust,
and Christchurch residents can be proud.
The restoration of landmark historic buildings such as this is testament
to strong partnerships between owners and heritage professionals. By negotiating
the various obstacles associated with heritage restoration, Heritage Hotel
Management willingness and vision has been rewarded by financial success
and the knowledge that they have significantly contributed to the historic
legacy of Christchurch.
General Manager Heritage Hotel Gary Jarvis said he was delighted with
the preservation work that had been done on the Old Government Building.
"Our iconic property is an important part of Christchurch's history.
It's enormously satisfying to manage a hotel set in such an important
building in the historic fabric of this city, which is a feature our guests
frequently comment on."
For more information:
Zoe Roland
Area Coordinator Canterbury - West Coast
Ph: 03 377 1896
Email: zroland@historic.org.nz
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