Old Government Building, Christchurch

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 styleItalian High Renaissance palazzo
LocationChristchurch Central City
Address98 Worcester St
Town or cityChristchurch
CountryNew Zealand
Coordinates43°31′52″S 172°38′17″E
Construction started1910
Completed1913
Design and construction
Architect(s)Joseph Maddison
Awards and prizesCanterbury Heritage Awards – Seismic category winner in 2012 and Built Heritage Award winner in 2010
Designated5 April 1984
Reference no.301

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 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Old Government Building, Christchurch.
  1. "Old Government Building". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  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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