Hotel Development - The Pink Lady

When the godfather of 'Christchurch School' of modernism, Peter Beaven, went to his grave in 2012, it was with much of his life's work lying in rubble around the city, victims of the previous years earthquakes.

In 2017 a desperate chain of events finally secured a future as a hotel for one of his remaining office blocks, on the corner of Manchester and High Streets.

The building now dubbed 'The Pink Lady', thanks to the way the light reflects from it's bronze trim, was designed by Beaven and built between 1957 and 1960. It was home at the time for the Canterbury Terminating Building Society. After the quakes, it was discovered the building was at less than 10% of the current code for seismic safety. It changed hands several times, the owners who have committed to repairs and turning it into a hotel are Box 112, who are also responsible for the Public Trust Building.

Christchurch City Council has seen fit to help the process along with a heritage grant, these grants having saved a variety of buildings around the city and some private homes. Box 112 plan for the hotel to have 40 rooms and a cocktail bar.

The SBS (Formerly Manchester Unity) building and Holiday Inn, also by Beaven, were early victims of the quakes as both were found to be well beyond repair, placing more importance upon the reprieve for this building. Beavens' most acclaimed work was the Lyttelton Road tunnel Toll Plaza.

Though in his 80s, Beaven was still working in his office in the Provincial Chambers in Christchurch right up until the earthquakes, but soon after he moved to Blenheim, heartbroken, and died.

If you are passing this landmark, please SNAP US A PICTURE, we would be pleased to publish it here.