Former Normal School and Old Girls' High School - Cranmer Square Christchurch

Before the earthquakes at opposite ends Christchurch’s Cranmer Square were two fine examples of nineteenth century Christchurch’s predilection for Gothic Revival for educational buildings. The1876 Normal School, built in stone and designed by S.C. Farr, was converted into apartments. W.B. Armson’s slightly later brick Girls’ High School became part of the city’s Arts Centre.
Two infamous pupils of the Girls School were Juliet Hume and Pauline Parker whose activities were recorded by Peter Jackson in the 1994 movie 'Heavenly Creatures' starring Kate Winslet and Mealanie Lynskey
The Normal School was one of the most significant of the city’s Gothic-style buildings to be demolished following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

The normal school site is now occupied by a new set of luxury apartments.

Image Credit: Te Papa