As part of the citywide revitalisation process, the concept design for Christchurch’s eponymous Anglican Cathedral and its surrounding buildings has been released by local firm Warren and Mahoney in association with international firm Snøhetta Architects and heritage specialists Salmond Reed. These plans show a Cathedral which combines its iconic predecessor’s Anglican heritage with a Kiwi flavour that matches its location in central Christchurch.

“At the heart of this project is the desire to give back to the people of Christchurch and reconnect them with the cathedral, by retaining many of its recognisable, heritage features but also ensuring it represents a new, revitalised Christchurch through the addition of new, complementary modern buildings,” says Warren and Mahoney project principal, Peter Marshall.

With timber and glass integral to the construction of these auxiliary buildings, they will create a holistic and illuminating look for the Cathedral Quarter as they provide useful services to visitors. At the Northern end will sit the new Visitor’s Centre, as well as a museum and cafe located in a landscaped courtyard at the ground level. For the Southern side, a ‘Cathedral Centre’ will combine gathering areas, offices and amenities in a welcome upgrade to the previous facilities.

With all these new features on offer, the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt Rev’d Dr Peter Carell, says an estimated price tag of $154 million is well worth it for what he describes as an investment in the city and its surrounding areas. Similar sentiments are also expressed by the chairperson of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited, Justin Murray, who says that the “plan offers a vibrant, attractive, functioning Cathedral Quarter that we are convinced will stimulate social, economic and tourism activity in Cathedral Square and the wider central city.” 

With just over $100 million already allocated for the development, Peter Guthrey of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust is confident that a target of $50 million is “ambitious yet achievable”, and is calling on potential donors from New Zealand or around the world to give generously.

See a fly-through of the new concept design below: