The Press Building, Christchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Press Building |
|
|---|---|
The Press Building in November 2010
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Office and printing press |
| Architectural style | Perpendicular Gothic |
| Location | corner Cathedral Square and Worcester Street, Christchurch Central City |
| Address | 32 Cathedral Square |
| Town or city | Christchurch |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°31′50″S 172°38′17″E / 43.5306°S 172.6381°E |
| Construction started | 1907 |
| Completed | 1909 |
| Inaugurated | 2 February 1909 |
| Demolished | 2011 |
| Client | The Press |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Reinforced concrete |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Goddard Collins |
| Architecture firm | Armson, Collins and Harman |
| Main contractor | Henry Eli White |
| Designated: | 2 April 1985 |
| Reference #: | 302 |
The Press Building was a famous building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was located right in the city's main square, Cathedral Square. For over 100 years, from 1909 to 2011, it was the home of a newspaper called The Press.
The building had a special look, called Perpendicular Gothic style. It was so important that it was listed as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand. Sadly, the building was badly damaged in the big 2011 Christchurch earthquake and had to be taken down.
History of The Press Building
The newspaper The Press started in 1861. It was founded by James FitzGerald. He wanted to share different ideas from another important person, William Sefton Moorhouse.
At first, the newspaper was in a small house. Then it moved to Cashel Street. In 1890, a man named George Stead bought the newspaper. He decided to buy land in Cathedral Square in 1905. He believed this spot would become the very center of Christchurch.
Building Design and Construction
The company Armson, Collins and Harman was chosen to design the new building. John Goddard Collins was the architect who designed it. He created a four-story building in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The builder for the project was Henry Eli White.
The building was made using reinforced concrete. This was quite new for Christchurch at the time. This strong material was needed to hold up the heavy printing presses inside. The design also included a special tower on one corner. The first newspaper printed in the new building came out on February 2, 1909.
For many years, from 1886 to the 1920s, the newspaper used pigeon post to send messages! There was even a pigeon house on the roof of the building.
Later Years and Demolition
In 2008, an Australian company called Ganellen bought the building. The plan was to build a new main office for The Press next door. The old, historic Press Building was going to be fixed up and used for other businesses.
The building was first damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake. Because of this, the newspaper staff moved out on September 8, 2010. The building was later checked and said to be safe to use again.
However, on February 22, 2011, the big Christchurch earthquake hit. The Press Building was badly damaged, and its top floor fell down. One employee sadly died, and many people were hurt or trapped. This happened just two weeks before the staff were going to move into their new building next door.
The damaged building was taken down in July 2011. By July 25, 2011, almost nothing was left. Only the main entrance door remained. Above the door was the newspaper's motto: "Nihil utile quod non honestum." This means "Nothing is useful that is not honest." The company's crest was also above the door. Workers tried to remove the crest carefully.
After the 2011 earthquake, the staff of The Press worked from temporary offices. These were in small portable buildings near their printing press in Harewood. They worked there for 15 months. In May 2012, they finally moved into their new building, which was right next to where the old one used to be. The first newspaper printed in the new building was on May 28, 2012.
