Former seminary building called dangerous, demolition sought

Wellstar Co Ltd bought the heritage-listed building, known as Antonio Hall, from private owners in 1993, but it had been unoccupied since the 2011 earthquakes. The building, which was damaged by fires in 2019 and 2021, was deemed dangerous and insanitary by the Christchurch City Council last September.

Anne Mackenzie, who owns student accommodation next door to the building, said she was concerned someone would be seriously injured or killed as a result of the structure’s dangerous condition. Tiles have been dislodged from the roof in high winds, and she said there is a significant population of cats living on the site.

However, a spokesman for the owners says the roof has been secured by a builder. The owners say they cannot take further action until the building’s heritage status has been lifted.

Christchurch city councillors unanimously agreed to remove the building from its list of protected buildings in late 2024, but a Council spokesman said the decision still required final ministerial sign off. He said people breaking into the property and lighting fires was a concern, but the owner had done their best to keep people out.

Riccarton Ward councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt said sorting out Antonio Hall was one of the “key things” he wanted to get over the line before the next election. He said he was pleased a process to lift its heritage status was underway so changes could be made.

A Council spokesperson said ministerial sign-off on removing the building’s heritage status was expected in “coming months”.

In 1946, Antonio Hall was purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, which opened it the following year as Holy Name Seminary. Holy Name was assimilated into Holy Cross College in Mosgiel in 1979 and the Holy Name complex was eventually sold to become Antonio Hall Hostel.

The complex was renamed Campion Hall and was used as a hostel for university students. The site returned to use as a private residence when it was sold in 1991.

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Neighbours say ‘something must be done’ about dangerous derelict mansion | Stuff (By Phoebe Utteridge/Stuff)

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