The former Municipal Chambers building were erected in 1886-1887 as chambers and offices for the Christchurch City Council. In 1885 a competition was held for their design; it was won by Samuel Hurst Seager (1855-1933) with a proposal in the Queen Anne style. This highly eclectic architectural style indebted to the brick domestic architecture of Queen Anne's reign (1707-1714), was revived in Britain during the late nineteenth century. Its combination of red brick, Classical motifs and Flemish architecture was viewed as a consciously secular style particularly suited to domestic and commercial buildings. As Queen Anne houses were built in growing numbers in Britain, the style came to be associated with the progressive ideals of the British middle classes. In Britain the style was rarely used for town halls because it was viewed as too progressive by what were generally conservative local bodies as well as lacking in the civic dignity expected of municipal buildings. The style had not previously been used in New Zealand.
The decision to select Seager's design was, therefore, controversial, and it was criticised for both the architectural style of the elevations and the layout of the rooms. Despite the controversy, construction began in March 1886. In August of the same year Councillor Andrews called for an independent assessment of the building, claiming it was structurally unstable. Two architects, Benjamin Mountfort and John Whitelaw, and an engineer, Edward Dobson, inspected the building and found it to be completely safe, clearing Seager's name. Their only suggestion was that the roof of the Council Chamber be strengthened in a different and more costly way. Marisa Wilson, in her paper on the Municipal Chambers, suggests that the above controversy was due to the combination of a young and unknown architect (Seager was in his early thirties) and an unfamiliar style. As Wilson quips 'unfamiliarity bred contempt'.
The building, which was officially opened in 1887, was built with bricks from the Glentunnel Brickworks, and Oamaru and White Rock stone facings. It is decorated with floral terracotta panels, also designed by Seager and fired at the Glentunnel Brickworks. Two terracotta figures stand in niches on the Worcester Street facade. Designed by George Frampton (1860-1928), who was part of the late nineteenth-century 'New Sculpture' movement, the figures represent 'Industry' and 'Concorde'. The wrought iron gates over the entrance were also designed by Seager. The overall effect is both sympathetic to the surrounding park and richly decorative.
This three-storey building was used by the Christchurch City Council until 1924, when the council moved into the larger space of Canterbury Hall in Manchester Street. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce occupied the building until 1967. The Chamber was involved in a number of significant events in Canterbury including the building of the railway to the West Coast, the establishment of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, and the Tunnel Road. After the Chamber of Commerce left the building in 1967 it was used by the Public Relations Office and the Citizens Advice Bureau and then by the Christchurch Information Centre. More recently the building has been renovated to house 'Our City', an exhibition space for shows related to Christchurch's environment and people.
The Municipal Chambers building is a rare example of a town hall built in the Queen Anne style and it is an accomplished work in the style. It was Seager's first major commission upon returning to New Zealand and provided him with extensive public exposure. His design was a notable departure from the prevailing Gothic Revival architecture of the period. The building is a distinctive feature of the townscape along the Avon River and has historical significance as the centre of city government for over 20 years, and subsequently as the home of the local Chamber of Commerce for over 60 years.
The decision to select Seager's design was, therefore, controversial, and it was criticised for both the architectural style of the elevations and the layout of the rooms. Despite the controversy, construction began in March 1886. In August of the same year Councillor Andrews called for an independent assessment of the building, claiming it was structurally unstable. Two architects, Benjamin Mountfort and John Whitelaw, and an engineer, Edward Dobson, inspected the building and found it to be completely safe, clearing Seager's name. Their only suggestion was that the roof of the Council Chamber be strengthened in a different and more costly way. Marisa Wilson, in her paper on the Municipal Chambers, suggests that the above controversy was due to the combination of a young and unknown architect (Seager was in his early thirties) and an unfamiliar style. As Wilson quips 'unfamiliarity bred contempt'.
The building, which was officially opened in 1887, was built with bricks from the Glentunnel Brickworks, and Oamaru and White Rock stone facings. It is decorated with floral terracotta panels, also designed by Seager and fired at the Glentunnel Brickworks. Two terracotta figures stand in niches on the Worcester Street facade. Designed by George Frampton (1860-1928), who was part of the late nineteenth-century 'New Sculpture' movement, the figures represent 'Industry' and 'Concorde'. The wrought iron gates over the entrance were also designed by Seager. The overall effect is both sympathetic to the surrounding park and richly decorative.
This three-storey building was used by the Christchurch City Council until 1924, when the council moved into the larger space of Canterbury Hall in Manchester Street. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce occupied the building until 1967. The Chamber was involved in a number of significant events in Canterbury including the building of the railway to the West Coast, the establishment of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, and the Tunnel Road. After the Chamber of Commerce left the building in 1967 it was used by the Public Relations Office and the Citizens Advice Bureau and then by the Christchurch Information Centre. More recently the building has been renovated to house 'Our City', an exhibition space for shows related to Christchurch's environment and people.
The Municipal Chambers building is a rare example of a town hall built in the Queen Anne style and it is an accomplished work in the style. It was Seager's first major commission upon returning to New Zealand and provided him with extensive public exposure. His design was a notable departure from the prevailing Gothic Revival architecture of the period. The building is a distinctive feature of the townscape along the Avon River and has historical significance as the centre of city government for over 20 years, and subsequently as the home of the local Chamber of Commerce for over 60 years.
