Christchurch Heritage Hotel OGB (Old Government Building)

The Government Buildings opened in 1913 and housed various Government departments for more than seventy years. Following this the building remained empty for a number of years and, in 1991, it was threatened with demolition leading The Christchurch City Council to purchased the building. It was then sold for preservation and meticulously restored, it is now part of the Heritage Hotel complex.

The building was designed in the style of a Italian High Renaissance palazzo. In keeping with this model, it has a massive box-like shape and a heavily rusticated stone base topped by walls with regularly placed windows, and a boldly modelled cornice. The entrance on the west facade is surmounted by a portico in antis (that is, a portico whose columns range with the front wall) while the entrance on the north side is topped by four columns which project slightly from the building. The central staircase, spacious corridors and the door surrounds topped with triangular pediments are notable features.

Following the February 22nd earthquake, Heritage Christchurch is not taking bookings for the OGB Wing until 1st July 2012. A date for the Tower Wing is not yet available.

A cordon remains in place around the CBD area and as such this date is contingent on the lifting of access restrictions.