Cranmer Court demolition to resume

Email
Print

Cranmer Court demolition to resume

3News NZ

Cranmer Court in Christchurch is set to be demolished

Cranmer Court in Christchurch is set to be demolished

By 3 News online staff

The demolition of one of the oldest buildings left in Christchurch is set to resume today after months of discussions on how to save it have failed.

The 140-year-old Cranmer Court complex was red-stickered after the February 2011 earthquake.

Its residents have spent $1 million trying to stabilise the building and heritage experts are devastated it's now going to start coming down.

The owners of the former teachers college were hoping an Australian investor would save the day, but he withdrew his offer at the last moment.

University of Canterbury historian Ian Lochhead said the building could have been given more of a chance.

“I'm sure that if CERA could simply put a secure fence around it and give the building some time that a new proposal would come forward perhaps with different engineering solutions.”

3 News

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

6/10/2012 3:52:59 a.m.

Antony wrote:

It's not "too damaged"! It's a matter of insurance and finance. The place is full of steel reinforcing, just not enough for it to meet code or avoid any damage. Like the highrises (also nearly all being demolished). Replacing it doesn't make the problem go away.

4/10/2012 11:36:54 a.m.

Jay wrote:

It's sad that the demolition's going ahead, but people have done everything they reasonably could do to try to save the building. It's just too damaged. Goodbye, Cramner Court. You were a nice building.

4/10/2012 10:57:39 a.m.

Kelvin wrote:

Very sad. I can't help wondering if in due course CERA will be seriously criticised for many of these decisions, which will leave Chch with no heritage buildings. Perhaps it is time for CERA to be removed and some shift back to democracy made?

4/10/2012 7:49:18 a.m.

jan wrote:

Such shortsightedness in Christchurch in regards to saving old buildings. I bet everything would be done to save the beehive and that big stone building next to it, would be a priority to save.