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Old Government Building, Christchurch

Coordinates: 43°31′52″S 172°38′17″E / 43.53106°S 172.638075°E / -43.53106; 172.638075
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Old Government Building
Old Government Building in 2015
Map
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 / 43.53106°S 172.638075°E / -43.53106; 172.638075
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

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.

History

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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

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  1. ^ a b c "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.