Old Government Building, Christchurch

Old Government Building
The building in 2015
Alternative names	Government Buildings Government Building Old Government Buildings
General information
Architectural style	Italian High Renaissance palazzo
Location	98 Worcester St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates	43°31′52″S172°38′17″E / 43.53106°S 172.638075°E / -43.53106; 172.638075
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
Heritage New Zealand – Category 1
Designated	5 April 1984
Reference no.	301

The Old Government Building (also known as the Government Buildings and formerly the New Government Building; sometimes pluralised) is a heritage building complex 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

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 building originally 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]

The complex has been known by different names throughout its history. It was colloquially referred to as the New Government Building when it was first developed and opened. ^[4] Later, it became the Old Government Building, ^[4] a name which it is now commonly known by. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]} The building has also been referred to more generally as the Government Buildings in some academic, historical, and architectural documents. ^{[1] [2] [10]}

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] [11]} It is now home to the Heritage Hotel Christchurch and the bar O.G.B. ^{[12] [5]}

References

1. "Government Buildings (Former)". 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. Walton, Mark (13 January 2024). "Our Kiwi Home: Christchurch's Old Government Building" . The Press . Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
5. "OGB Cafe & Bar, Christchurch NZ". OGB Bar & Cafe. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
6. "Old Government Building (Christchurch, N.Z.)". National Library of New Zealand . Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
7. "'Heritage Christchurch's Century Old Building Brings the Crowds in' Heritage Christchurch Media Release". Historic Places Aotearoa. 23 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
8. Kenny, Jake (22 February 2021). "Christchurch's top 10 post-earthquake heritage restorations". Stuff . Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
9. "Heritage Hotel, Old Government Building (OGB)". Canterbury Heritage Awards. Christchurch Heritage Awards Charitable Trust. Archived from the original on 16 March 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
10. "Christchurch Government Buildings". Ashburton Guardian . Vol. XXXI, no. 8097. 29 June 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
11. "Heritage Christchurch Foundation Laid – 1911". Discover The Delights Of Peeling Back History. 1 January 1911. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
12. "Heritage Christchurch". Heritage Hotels. Retrieved 17 February 2017.