Summary
Victoria Mansions is a residential Category II heritage building in central Christchurch, New Zealand.[1]
| Victoria Mansions | |
|---|---|
 Victoria Mansions following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Residential apartments |
| Architectural style | Art Deco architecture |
| Location | Corner Victoria, Salisbury and Montreal Sts, Christchurch Central City |
| Address | 91 Victoria Street Christchurch |
| Coordinates | 43°31′30″S 172°37′51″E / 43.524939°S 172.630818°E |
| Construction started | 1935 |
| Completed | 1936 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Heathcote Helmore |
| Reference no. | 3142 |
| References | |
| [1] | |
Heathcote Helmore had the commission in 1931 to design the building; he designed in Art Deco as was fashionable at the time. In March 1935, Victoria Mansions Limited was formed to undertake the development. They expected to pay NZ£2,800 for the land and NZ£18,000 for the building. Located immediately south of the Victoria Clock Tower, the land had three street frontages: 82 feet (25 m) to the north (Salisbury Street), 100 feet (30 m) to Montreal Street, and 88 feet (27 m) to Victoria Street.[2] Construction started in June 1935, with five apartments on each floor, plus a single rooftop apartment, making 21 apartments in total. A small restaurant was attached on the Victoria Street frontage, with adjacent garages. Apartments were ready for occupation in May 1936.[3]
The building was damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and has since stood empty. The adjoining restaurant was demolished after the earthquakes. In 2020, it was announced that the building will be restored, and a fifth storey added for two rooftop penthouses.[4]
Notable occupiers edit
- Henry Cotterill (1855–1943), of Duncan Cotterill (law firm); from 1936[5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Victoria Mansions". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Residential flats: Four-story block for Christchurch". Evening Star. No. 21994. 2 April 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Flats in the city". The Press. Vol. LXXII, no. 21712. 20 February 1936. p. 7. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ Walton, Steven (24 January 2020). "Apartment tower among ideas for Christchurch's Victoria Mansions". Stuff. p. 3. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Current notes". The Press. Vol. LXXII, no. 21818. 25 June 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 24 January 2020.