Former seminary loses heritage protections

The Christchurch City Council has agreed to remove Antonio Hall in Riccarton from its schedule of heritage buildings. The decision was partly aligned with a recommendation by an independent hearings panel.

The Council and panel disagreed on whether the hall’s chapel should retain its protections – the panel believed it could be repaired, based on expert evidence – but the Council decided to remove the listing entirely. Assuming there are no appeals, the Council’s decision stands. 

The Council move means the path is open for demolition, should the owners choose to do so. The current owners are the overseas-based Chiu family. Neighbours have been calling for the demolition of the building, which they describe as unsafe. Dozens of cats reportedly live on the site.

The building was constructed in the early 20th century. In 1946, Antonio Hall was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. It opened 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.

Wellstar Co Ltd bought the building from private owners in 1993, but it has been unoccupied since the 2011 earthquakes. The building was damaged by fires in 2019 and 2021.

FULL STORY

Derelict Christchurch mansion Antonio Hall loses heritage protection (By Sinead Gill/The Press – subscription required)

Welcome to Heritage New Zealand (Heritage New Zealand)

Neighbours say ‘something must be done’ about dangerous derelict mansion (Stuff)