‘Worthy of preservation’

Press, 12 May 1984, Page 1

‘Worthy of preservation’

The Ministry of Works and Development building in Worcester Street has been classified as worthy of preservation by the Historic Places Trust. Announcing the decision yesterday, the trust’s assistant director, Mr John Bums, described the property as “a well-known Christchurch landmark” and a “notable example of public architecture.” The building was designed in 1911 by J. C. Maddison and is in the Renaissance style: bold and ornate. Mr

Bums described the interior as having “a magnificent staircase and some fine detailing.” The trust has given the building a “B” classification; the second-highest in its armoury and sparingly used. Its future, however, is uncertain. The Ministry intends to move out and has let a contract for the construction of a new office block near Latimer Square, in Hereford Street. The District Commissioner of Works in Christchurch, Mr R. D. Grant, said

the new building would not be completed for 2% years and until it was, the Government was unlikely to make any decision regarding the fate of the Worcester Street premises. Retention has not been ruled out as a possibility. Mr Grant said designs had been prepared to bring it up to full code requirements for continued use as an office block. Preliminary estimates had indicated that the cost of this work would be “about the same as that of building a new complex of

equal size,” he said. But it would not have the same serviceable life because of its age. The Canterbury Transport Board has thought of buying the property if it is put on the market, gutting the interior and using it as a city bus depot. A' spokesman for the State Services Commission, the formal owner of the building, said that a number of options were under consideration and that restoration by the Crown was only one of them.