"Heritage Christchurch opened its doors to the public on Sunday afternoon the 19th of October as part of the Beca Heritage Week in Christchurch."
"Historic Places Aotearoa Canterbury guides took tours of the building. Several hundred people visited the building in the busy open day and many participants came along in period costume."

The Media Release is as follows:

Heritage Christchurch Open Day attracts huge crowds - for immediate release

Heritage Christchurch opened its doors to the public on Sunday afternoon the 19th of October as part of the Beca Heritage Week in Christchurch. The hotel displayed vintage cars on the forecourt of the 101 year old building, whilst inside tea was served and Historic Places Aotearoa Canterbury guides took tours of the building. Several hundred people visited the building in the busy open day and many participants came along in period costume.

"The turn-out and public response was totally beyond our expectations. The huge interest in our century old building is humbling and reaffirms how hungry people are for opportunities to celebrate the city's heritage," says Gary Jarvis, Heritage Hotels group operations manager and former general manager of Heritage Christchurch.

The Old Government Building (OGB) which houses Heritage Christchurch was designed by Joseph Clarkson Maddison in an Italian Renaissance Palazzo style and opened in 1913. The building is a listed category one building and was awarded the Christchurch Heritage Trust Built Heritage Award in 2010 and the New Zealand Seismic Award 2012 in the Canterbury Heritage awards.

The Old Government Building and its endurance have been described as of monumental importance to the city’s architectural heritage by experts. Today within its walls, the hotel presents elegant self-contained suites, an on-site health club, plus, conference facilities suitable for smaller meetings and weddings. Website www.heritagehotels/heritage-christchurch

ENDS

Susan Gibson
T.H.E Group Communications Manager
Heritage Hotel Management     35 Hobson Street      PO Box 3904       Auckland 1140      New Zealand
+64 9 979 7566