Wood's Mill

Wood's Mill was strongly built to support operating machinery. As a consequence it survived the Canterbury earthquakes. Its heritage character and robustness has made it a candidate for development in the new Christchurch.

The development underway in 2017/2018 is converting the upper stories to apartments and offices, while the ground and first floor grain store will be used for bars, restaurants and cafes and even a market.

The 'Wood' in this brick building is William Derisley Wood, a very early Cantabrian, who had a relationship with farmers the Deans Brothers and saw the region's future in cropping, especially wheat. He emigrated from England with his young wife, both of them being from milling families. After a few other jobs and stretch at farming, Wood built three mills, starting with a windmill, and this big red beast is the third. An excellent account of the significance of Wood and the Mill to Christchurch history is provided by Christchurch City Libraries in this document.

The original architect of the 1890 triple brick behemoth at Addington was Joseph Clarkson Maddison, who was the go-to designer of freezing works and other houses of industry. He outdid himself here, making a structure so strong it outlasted even the tragic Cathedral and many other Christchurch landmarks. Later additions were by the more commercial Lutterell Brothers.

Integral features that also hint at the strength of the building are columns made from massive trees of Australian Ironwood and beams hewn from Oregon.

After a long and interesting history in industry the Mill closed in 1970, and parts of it have been turned to many purposes since then, including residential apartments. The true refurbishment began with the new owner, Michael King, a structural engineer. The first phase was strengthening, in 2107. The next stage is the introduction of a market and theatre area, with further developments to follow. Until it opens, it remains one of NZPlaces elusive set of virtual attractions! It might yet become a popular industrial heritage conversion like The Tannery on the other side of town.