After being obscured by heavy bracing and scaffolding for more than a decade, a landmark building in central Christchurch is finally on display in all its red brick glory.
The category 1 heritage-listed former Municipal Chambers on the corner of Oxford Tce and Worcester Bvd was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake.
It has since had extensive strengthening and restoration work. Further upgrades involved repairing the brickwork, clay roof tiles, stained glass windows, and the Oamaru stone around the windows.
The Christchurch City Council-owned building is run by a trust, which has been granted a 50-year lease.
The city council also contributed $10 million towards the restoration project and granted a further $2 million interest-free loan when it ran over budget.
The first floor is earmarked for the Antarctic Research Legacy Library - which will house an international collection of research material and make it available to the public.
A statue of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott faces towards the site.
It is expected commercial spaces will be made available on the ground floor. This would provide income to pay off the loan and help with the heritage icon's ongoing maintenance.
- By Geoff Sloan, made with the support of NZ On Air
