Elizas Manor on Bealey

This elderly colonial timber mansion on Bealey Avenue is dripping with heritage, possibly more than any other Christchurch building still standing. And Eliza's is still standing, because the old frame stood up to the earthquakes, and the damage that was done, was repaired quickly and efficiently.

In Canterbury terms, the links here are undeniably impressive. The block of land upon which she stands, used to be at the very edges of the city in the 1850s when it was owned by founding father George Gould. In 1861 the beginnings of the manor home was built here, for Provincial Councillor Charles Wyatt. He didn't stay long though and in 1863 it became the home of Maurice Harris, who also founded Christchurch's Synagogue. He and his son Henry both lived here and added to the house over 50 years.

The 1908 additions and alterations are given as the reason this building stands as a symbol of the Arts and Crafts/Domestic Revival architectural movements. Those were carrried out by Mr Frederick Pyne, whose business later became the Canterbury Institution Pyne Gould Guiness. Possibly the most impressive addition was the ornately carved bannisters and fireplaces, especially in the front reception hall. These were made from New Zealand Kauri, which was used as Ballast on return shipping voyages to Scotland,and were carved over there by Scots artisans before being returned to Christchurch. These features remain impressive, and decidedly different from regular New Zealand joinery.

After the Pyne family had lived here in fine style until the 1920s, the building took on various guises, as hospital, private boarding house, school hostel eventually, private hotel. There was a link during this period with the family of Charles Upham, VC and Bar, possibly his grandmother lived here. After also undergoing a series of name changes it turned out that Christchurch was determined to continue to use the name 'Eliza's' which was used during the 80s and 90s. Huge efforts were made to return the hotel to her former glory after the 2010 earthquake, only for more of the same to be required the following year. Now safe and sturdy, this is a hotel for the ages.

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