Chief Post Office, Christchurch
Government, with some commercial enterprises in Christchurch, New Zealand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Chief Post Office or Christchurch Central Post Office, originally known as the Government Buildings,[1] is located in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand. The building was initially a post office with Immigration, Customs and Public Works departments. The Government Buildings were later replaced by the new Government Buildings[2] opened in 1913,[3] and the Chief Post Office remained on-site. In 1881, New Zealand’s first telephone exchange was installed in the building. Post services were offered from the building until 2000 when it was re-purposed to house a Christchurch tourist information centre and a restaurant, café and offices.[4] Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake the building closed. In the early 2020s repairs and strengthening[5] took place. The building was planned to reopen in 2023 in stages, and eventually include a restaurant, shops, and a visitor information centre, under the name "The Grand".[6] The structure is registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage building.
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Chief Post Office | |
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General information | |
Type | Government, with some commercial enterprises |
Architectural style | Italianate style with classical and Venetian Gothic elements |
Location | Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City |
Address | 31 Cathedral Square |
Town or city | Christchurch |
Country | New Zealand |
Coordinates | 43.5316°S 172.6358°E / -43.5316; 172.6358 |
Current tenants | None |
Construction started | 24 May 1877 |
Completed | 1878 |
Renovated | 1907 |
Owner | Gordon Chamberlin |
Technical details | |
Floor count | Two |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | William Henry Clayton |
Main contractor | Dan Reese |
Designated | 2 April 1985 |
Reference no. | 291 |
References | |
"Chief Post Office (Former)". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. |