With This Ring: August 05, 2016
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<strong>With</strong> <strong>This</strong> <strong>Ring</strong> 59<br />
Five years after<br />
the Christchurch<br />
earthquakes caused<br />
the closure of many<br />
much admired<br />
venues, it’s time<br />
to celebrate<br />
those that have<br />
been restored<br />
and recently<br />
re-opened.<br />
THE GREAT HALL,<br />
CHRISTCHURCH<br />
Designed in gothic revival<br />
style by architect Benjamin<br />
Mountfort, the Great<br />
Hall was built in 1877<br />
as part of the University<br />
of Canterbury. When the<br />
university moved to a new<br />
site in Ilam in 1975, the<br />
original buildings became<br />
the city’s Arts Centre and<br />
the Great Hall was used<br />
for a variety of public and<br />
private functions. The<br />
complex was closed after<br />
sustaining serious damage<br />
in September 2010 but<br />
following a 16 million<br />
dollar restoration, the<br />
Great Hall is resplendent<br />
once more<br />
thanks to the skill of both<br />
craftsmen and engineers.<br />
MONA VALE,<br />
CHRISTCHURCH<br />
The property was built as<br />
a private home in 1897 for<br />
Frederick Waymouth, but<br />
in 19<strong>05</strong> it was bought by<br />
heiress Annie Townend<br />
who re-named it “Mona<br />
Vale” after the Tasmanian<br />
birthplace of her mother.<br />
For many years the house<br />
was a popular wedding,<br />
restaurant and conference<br />
venue until earthquake<br />
damage forced its closure.<br />
Its intricate restoration<br />
is complete and the<br />
property is due to<br />
re-open mid <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
THE GREAT HALL<br />
GAIETY THEATRE<br />
MONA VALE<br />
THE GAIETY THEATRE, AKAROA<br />
Originally built as an Oddfellows<br />
Lodge in 1879, the building has been<br />
the focus of gatherings in Akaroa for<br />
over a century. Its Italianate design by<br />
Architect A W Simpson would usually<br />
feature stone work, but the Gaiety<br />
is constructed entirely of wood.<br />
Following damage in the Canterbury<br />
earthquakes, the building was closed<br />
in 2011, but its restoration and recent<br />
re-opening makes “the Gaiety” open<br />
for community events and functions<br />
once more.<br />
SIGN OF THE TAKAHE, CHRISTCHURCH<br />
The property has been a much admired Cashmere<br />
Hill landmark and is also due to re-open later in <strong>2016</strong><br />
following earthquake repairs to the building which<br />
has a Category I listing with NZ Historic Places Trust.<br />
Designed by JG Collins and constructed between<br />
1918 and 1948, the Sign of the Takahe was initially<br />
one of Harry Ell’s Port Hills roadhouses before<br />
becoming a popular restaurant and function centre<br />
with spectacular views over the city.<br />
PHOTO BY:<br />
CHRISTCHURCH<br />
CITY COUNCIL<br />
SIGN OF THE TAKAHE
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