A render shows the new plan for the cathedral.
Photo: Supplied / Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd
The Christ Church Cathedral could be reopened in five years under a new, cheaper restoration plan that would halve a massive funding shortfall.
The cost to rebuild the earthquake-damaged building had blown out to $248 million, before being revised down to $219m last year, leaving a shortfall of about $85m.
The rebuild was paused indefinitely in August 2024 after the government said it would not provide $60m in taxpayer funding to bail out the project.
Fourteen years on from the Christchurch earthquake, the group leading the rebuild, Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd, had a new plan.
Director Mark Stewart said it reviewed and costed a range of options and decided the reinstatement work would be done in stages.
“We have developed a plan that will see the first stage deliver a re-opened cathedral and the removal of hoardings from the square to enable its revitalisation,” he said.
The new plan halved the funding shortfall to between $40m and $45m, he said.
Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd director Mark Stewart.
Photo: Frank Film
The first stage would see the tower and nave areas reinstated, along with the western wall, including the Rose Window.
This would create a cathedral with seating for up to 700 people.
It was these areas that first opened to the public when the cathedral was originally built in 1881, Stewart said.
He said the cathedral could be open by the end of 2030 with construction work beginning next year.
Stewart said the plan had attracted endorsement from tangata whenua, and key business and community leaders.
“It is important for the city’s sake that we get this project moving,” he said.
“Christchurch’s central city is thriving and while its revitalisation is often lauded, the cathedral is an obstacle to further progress.”
The internal plan for the cathedral.
Photo: Supplied / Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd
Dean Ben Truman said the new plan had the full support of the Anglican Church leadership, which had agreed to commit a further $20m to the project.
“We want to make this happen. The cathedral, with its tower and square, was always the hub of our city as well as a major tourist attraction. It has a rich history and an even richer future – a reopened Christ Church Cathedral will be, as it was before, a place that welcomes everyone and hosts important events for the city,” he said.
Ben Bridge, whose company, Mainland Capital, along with Russell Property Group, was redeveloping the landmark Noah’s Hotel, said Cathedral Square was the last piece of the puzzle in terms of rebuilding the CBD.
“Providing certainty with respect to the cathedral will give the investment community confidence to develop the area around it fully. It will unlock substantial private sector investment that will bring Cathedral Square to life – just as Riverside, Little High, The Crossing, The Terrace, and other developments have delivered,” he said.
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