Clarendon Tower
Encyclopedia
Clarendon Tower is a high rise building on Worcester Street at Oxford Terrace in the Christchurch Central City
. Built on the site of the former Clarendon Hotel, the façade of the historic building was kept in the redevelopment and is protected by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
as a Category II heritage structure. Following damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the 17 storey building is to be demolished.
, a former home of the Christchurch City Council
. Brittan sold his building in 1859 to Irish
migrant Rowland Davis, who obtained a liquor licence and enlarged the house. Thus, the history of the site as a public house began.
A subsequent owner, George Oram, changed the name of the hotel to Clarendon in 1866, after the then British foreign secretary
, the Earl of Clarendon
. The quality of the hotel was recognised in 1869 when the Duke of Edinburgh
stayed there and bestowed Oram the title of 'Hotel Keeper by Appointment to His Royal Highness Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh'.
Clarendon Hotel was often used for drowning inquests. Located on on the Avon River, many of the reasonably frequent drowning cases were heard at the hotel. It was also used as a departure point for Cobb and Co
coaches to the West Coast.
The much extended building was demolished and in 1902/03, a new hotel was erected for the Crown Brewery Company. Joseph Clarkson Maddison was the architect and he designed the three storey building in Renaissance Revival style. Maddison was a notable architect in Christchurch at the time and designed 14 hotels over a period of 28 years (including Warner's
and Carlton Hotels
), the Old Government Building and the buildings for the New Zealand International Exhibition
in 1906 in Hagley Park
. The construction work was carried out by J. Otley.
Some notable people stayed in the hotel, including the Duke of Edinburgh (1869), Lee Kuan Yew
(the 1st Prime Minister of Singapore
), King George VI
(1948), Queen Elizabeth II (1954) and the Queen Mother (1958). The biggest crowd was drawn when The Beatles
stayed here during their 1964 tour.
Demolition of the hotel was first proposed in 1981, causing considerable controversy in Christchurch. Eventually, the Christchurch City Council suggested that the façade be retained with the redevelopment as an office high rise building. The hotel was demolished in 1986, with 2/3 of the Oxford Terrace and all of the Worcester Street façade being kept.
, was constructed in 1986/87. It was the first example of facadism
in Christchurch. Local artist Bill Sutton
described the new creation as "a boy with his trousers around his ankles", a comment which many agreed with, whilst others were grateful for the retention of the historic façade.
Following damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority
has ordered the demolition of the high rise. Two demolition options have been put forward by the building owners, including an option using explosives.
in Oxford Terrace, and the Avon Theatre and the Regent Theatre in Worcester Street. The Scott Statue
is on reserve opposite the Clarendon Tower.
Christchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
. Built on the site of the former Clarendon Hotel, the façade of the historic building was kept in the redevelopment and is protected by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
as a Category II heritage structure. Following damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the 17 storey building is to be demolished.
Clarendon Hotel
The first Clarendon, an early wooden hotel, was established in a former private house. It was located at 78 Worcester Street, on the corner of Oxford Terrace. The first occupier of the site was William Guise Brittan in 1851, the land agent for the Canterbury Association. He operated the Christchurch land office, located diagonally opposite the intersection on the site that is these days occupied by Our CityOur City, Christchurch
Our City, or more formally Our City O-Tautahi, is on the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace in the Christchurch Central City. It is a Category I heritage building registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust...
, a former home of the Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
. Brittan sold his building in 1859 to Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
migrant Rowland Davis, who obtained a liquor licence and enlarged the house. Thus, the history of the site as a public house began.
A subsequent owner, George Oram, changed the name of the hotel to Clarendon in 1866, after the then British foreign secretary
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a senior member of Her Majesty's Government heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and regarded as one of the Great Offices of State...
, the Earl of Clarendon
George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon
George William Frederick Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon KG, GCB, PC , was an English diplomat and statesman.-Background and education:...
. The quality of the hotel was recognised in 1869 when the Duke of Edinburgh
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...
stayed there and bestowed Oram the title of 'Hotel Keeper by Appointment to His Royal Highness Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh'.
Clarendon Hotel was often used for drowning inquests. Located on on the Avon River, many of the reasonably frequent drowning cases were heard at the hotel. It was also used as a departure point for Cobb and Co
Cobb & Co. (New Zealand)
Cobb and Co is the name of a company that operated a fleet of stagecoaches in Australia in the late 19th century. Cobb & Co themselves did not operate in New Zealand officially but their name was used by many private stage coach operators.-History:...
coaches to the West Coast.
The much extended building was demolished and in 1902/03, a new hotel was erected for the Crown Brewery Company. Joseph Clarkson Maddison was the architect and he designed the three storey building in Renaissance Revival style. Maddison was a notable architect in Christchurch at the time and designed 14 hotels over a period of 28 years (including Warner's
Warner's Hotel
Warner's Hotel in 50 Cathedral Square, Christchurch is the site of a hotel established in 1863. The original building, extended on numerous occasions, burned down in 1900. The current building was built in 1901. Again, it has undergone numerous alterations...
and Carlton Hotels
Carlton Hotel, Christchurch
The Carlton Hotel in Christchurch was an historic pub on the corner of Papanui Road and Bealey Avenue. Built in 1906 for the New Zealand International Exhibition, it was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category II heritage building...
), the Old Government Building and the buildings for the New Zealand International Exhibition
International Exhibition (1906)
The New Zealand International Exhibition opened 1 November 1906 in Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. Nearly two million people visited the exhibition during the next few months. A branch railway line was built across North Hagley Park to service the exhibition...
in 1906 in Hagley Park
Hagley Park
Hagley Park is the largest urban open space in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was created in 1855 by the Provincial Government. According to the government's decree at that time, Hagley Park is "reserved forever as a public park, and shall be open for the recreation and enjoyment of the public."...
. The construction work was carried out by J. Otley.
Some notable people stayed in the hotel, including the Duke of Edinburgh (1869), Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
(the 1st Prime Minister of Singapore
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
), King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(1948), Queen Elizabeth II (1954) and the Queen Mother (1958). The biggest crowd was drawn when The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
stayed here during their 1964 tour.
Demolition of the hotel was first proposed in 1981, causing considerable controversy in Christchurch. Eventually, the Christchurch City Council suggested that the façade be retained with the redevelopment as an office high rise building. The hotel was demolished in 1986, with 2/3 of the Oxford Terrace and all of the Worcester Street façade being kept.
Clarendon Towers
The 17 storey Clarendon Towers, designed by Warren and MahoneyMiles Warren
Sir Miles Warren, ONZ, KBE, FNZIA is New Zealand's foremost modern architect. He apprenticed under Cecil Wood before studying architecture at the University of Auckland, eventually working at the London County Council where he was exposed to British New Brutalism...
, was constructed in 1986/87. It was the first example of facadism
Facadism
Façadism is the practice of demolishing a building but leaving its facade intact for the purposes of building new structures in it or around it....
in Christchurch. Local artist Bill Sutton
William A. Sutton
William A. Sutton or Bill was a leading portraitist and landscape artist based in Christchurch, New Zealand. A graduate of the Canterbury College School of Art he returned there to teach for more than 30 years.He was tutored by many well-known Canterbury artists, including Colin Lovell-Smith and...
described the new creation as "a boy with his trousers around his ankles", a comment which many agreed with, whilst others were grateful for the retention of the historic façade.
Following damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is a public service department established by the New Zealand government to coordinate the rebuilding of Christchurch and the surrounding areas following the 22 February 2011 earthquake.-Description:...
has ordered the demolition of the high rise. Two demolition options have been put forward by the building owners, including an option using explosives.
Heritage listing
On 24 June 2005, the historic façade was registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category II historic place, with the registration number 1858. It marks the site where one of the pioneering Christchurch settlers, Brittan, had his first home. It was one of the early hotels, established in 1859 and it became one of the most notable hotels in Christchurch, accommodating notable guests. It is an example of one of the many important buildings designed by Maddison and it part of the heritage fabric of the area, with other notable buildings like the Public Trust Office Building and the second civic officesOur City, Christchurch
Our City, or more formally Our City O-Tautahi, is on the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace in the Christchurch Central City. It is a Category I heritage building registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust...
in Oxford Terrace, and the Avon Theatre and the Regent Theatre in Worcester Street. The Scott Statue
Scott Statue
The Scott Statue commemorates Robert Falcon Scott. It is located at the intersection of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Street in the Christchurch Central City, New Zealand. The statue, carved by Scott's widow Kathleen Scott, is registered as a Category II historic place...
is on reserve opposite the Clarendon Tower.