Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, demolition, gloucester street, The Central Library on 11 December 2014| 5 Comments »
The Central Library in Gloucester Street has now completely gone:
Where the library isn’t
A more cheering sight is the Dance-o-mat being well used:
Dance-o-mat
And New Regent Street has colourful Christmas decorations:
New Regent Street
“I walked through central town today
and saw all this along my way.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Alejandro Haiek Coll, Christchurch, demolition, earthquake, Poplar Crescent on 16 July 2014| 7 Comments »
As I walked home down Poplar Crescent on Monday I noticed mysterious writing on the footpath opposite the Centennial Pool, and wondered what it was about.
Public spaces
Grandstand site
Instant public space
All was revealed in this morning’s “Press”. Alejandro Haiek Coll, a Venezuelan artist and architect, who is artist-in-residence at The Physics Room had set up a viewing platform where people could sit and watch the demolition. I didn’t see the actual installation, but the markings were intriguing.
“This kind of art is lots of fun
– intriguing stuff for anyone.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Charles Luney House, Christchurch, demolition, oxford terrace on 6 February 2014| 5 Comments »
They’re finally pulling down Charles Luney House on the corner of Manchester Street and Oxford Terrace. There are fences all around, Oxford Terrace has been closed off, and my usual route home is difficult to negotiate.
Luney demolition first day
The crane is equipped with a water hose to keep the dust down, and I got sprinkled as I went by.
Luney demolition second day
This building was formerly occupied by The Public Trust. It’s disturbing to learn that another Public Trust Building, one with heritage status, may also go.
“Why do so many have to go
when residents are crying “No!”?
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Cottage Life, Earthquake, tagged bridge club, Christchurch, clerestory windows, demolition, demolition noise, earthquake, riverside views on 10 March 2013| 4 Comments »
For the past week we’ve experienced demolition noise and dust, to say nothing of shaking that made us think it might be another earthquake. The flats across the road are now finally gone. While they’ve been an eyesore recently it was sad to say a final goodbye.
First they smashed down the garages
Then they took out everything that could be salvaged and sorted it in heaps
It didn’t take long for a digger to pull the rest down
Now there’s only rubble left
Demolition of the nearby Bridge Club was also completed this week, revealing the new building with its clerestory windows.
The last of the old Bridge Club building is demolished
The new building is revealed. It should be open by the end of May.
I guess now we just have to wait and see what comes in place of the flats. The owners plan to rebuild them to a different design. In the meantime we’ll enjoy increased riverside views.
“It seems that everything has changed.
Our outlook has been re-arranged.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Cottage Life, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, demolition, diggers, earthquake, safety fence on 14 February 2013| 2 Comments »
The block of flats across the road is finally being demolished. We knew demolition was imminent when a safety fence went up.
Riverside Flats 10 February
Of course some vandal immediately went behind the fence with a red spray can.
The garages are going
Yesterday the diggers moved in and started breaking up the garages. This will give them space to nibble at the flats.
“Our neighbour flats are going down
like other buildings all round town.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, demolition, hereford street, oxford terrace, rubble on 17 January 2013| 6 Comments »
Demolition is under way again now the holiday break is over.
Demolition of Vero House started
On Monday they were working on Vero House at the corner of Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace. They’d blocked off Hereford Street, including the re-opened Ibis Hotel, so the job had to be done VERY quickly.
By Wednesday there was only a pile of rubble left.
Little left of Vero
“Another building hits the ground.
There’s hardly any left around.”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, demolition, earthquake on 21 December 2012| 6 Comments »
The destruction of inner city buildings goes on and on….
Thank the Goddess for the Avon River and beautiful Poplar Crescent – one constant amid the continual changes.
Poplar Crescent
“The deconstruction just goes on.
When will those diggers all be gone?”
Posted in Christchurch - Central, Earthquake, tagged Christchurch, demolition, demolition workers, earthquake on 13 December 2012| Leave a Comment »
Ward’s demolition have their own private fire engine.
Ward’s fire engine
This is parked outside the old Community Law building which is currently being demolished. I guess it’s handy for the demolition workers to have water available just in case, and perhaps to damp down the dust.
“Among the debris and the muck
it’s good to have your own fire truck.”
Ruth's Reflections 