Old Government Building, Christchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Government Building |
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Old Government Building in 2015
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| 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 | 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 #: | 301 |
The Old Government Building is a very old and important building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by an architect named Joseph Maddison in 1909. This building is so special that it's listed as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the country!
Contents
History of the Building
Why it was Built
The Old Government Building was created to bring many different government offices together in one place. Before this building, these offices were spread out across Christchurch. Some were in the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings, and others were in rented spaces.
Early Days and Government Use
The building officially opened its doors in 1913. For many years, it was a busy hub for various government departments. These are like different parts of the government that handle things like roads, schools, or public services. The last government office to use the building was the Ministry of Works and Development.
From Offices to a Hotel
After the government departments moved out in the 1980s, the building was empty for a while. There was even a plan to tear it down in 1991! But the Christchurch City Council stepped in and bought it to save it.
In 1995, the council sold the building to a group called 'Symphony Group'. They had a special plan: to turn the historic building into a hotel. But there was a condition: they had to make the building stronger and keep its original look. Today, it is known as the Heritage Hotel Christchurch. You can also find a bar called O.G.B. inside, which stands for Old Government Building!
