Worcester Chambers Explained

Worcester Chambers
Location:Christchurch Central City
Address:69 Worcester Boulevard
Location Town:Christchurch
Location Country:New Zealand
Coordinates:-43.5307°N 172.6323°W
Completion Date:1927
Architect:Cecil Wood
Owner:Gerard and Siu-Wai McCoy
Building Type:Office building
Architectural Style:Georgian revival

The Worcester Chambers, recently also known as Gough Chambers, is a heritage building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was designed by Cecil Wood in 1926 and is designated as a Category II heritage building registered by Heritage New Zealand.[1] [2] Located at 69 Worcester Street in Central Christchurch, it was originally the site of a secretarial school called Digby's Commercial College.[3]

2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes

As a result of earthquake strengthening in 2007 it withstood the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Owners

In September 2015, the building was bought for NZ$2.3m by members of the Gough family: prominent businessman Tracy Gough and two of this children, including Christchurch City Councillor Jamie Gough.[4] The new owners renamed the building Gough Chambers.[5] Although they dropped the rent, they were unable to find tenants and sold the building in late 2016 for NZ$2.18m to lawyer Gerard McCoy and his wife Siu-Wai McCoy.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Search the List Worcester Chambers Heritage New Zealand . 28 December 2016 . www.heritage.org.nz.
  2. Web site: Worcester Chambers Canterbury Heritage Awards. www.heritageawards.co.nz . 28 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Central City Heritage Guide . . 28 December 2016.
  4. News: Law . Tina . Christchurch councillor Jamie Gough plans to restore $2.3 million heritage building. 18 February 2017 . . 9 September 2015.
  5. News: Liz . McDonald . Gough family forced to cut rent on Christchurch heritage building . 18 February 2017 . . 27 September 2016.
  6. News: Liz . McDonald . Goughs sell building to Dotcom lawyer . 18 February 2017 . . 2 December 2016.