Heritage Christchurch back in business

In a further boost to the restoration of quake-hit Christchurch, the Heritage Christchurch hotel on the site of the former Old Government Building (OGB) will formally reopen May 13.

The Old Government Building (OGB), which houses the hotel’s luxury suites and food and beverage facilities, survived the February 22, 2011 earthquake with relatively minor structural damage and no harm to guests and staff.

It has been behind the South Island New Zealand city’s no-go red zone cordon for the past two years, during which time careful planning and restoration has taken place.

The Tower building’s unit owners recently voted to accept a settlement from the insurer and the Tower wing will no longer form part of the hotel operation.

"We are delighted to see our beloved hotel back in business and thrilled that this unique heritage building has withstood both the test of time and seismic events," said Gary Jarvis, general manager Heritage Christchurch.

Unlike many buildings around the Cathedral Square, the OGB building’s damage was minimal. Inside there was only one pane of the historic stained glass windows cracked and in the hotel’s health club, the water was still in the swimming pool.

The building was extensively strengthened in 1995 and 1996 when it was converted to its current use as a hotel to comply with council regulations.

Despite some parts of Christchurch’s city centre still being closed off because of demolition work, more than 4,500 accommodation rooms are now available in the city, with another 600 new hotel rooms due to come on stream by the end of the year.