History & heritage  |  3 Jul 2019

A heritage façade in High Street and a very early Lyttelton cottage will benefit from Christchurch City Council grants totalling more than $140,000.

The Council’s Social, Community Development and Housing Committee has approved Heritage Incentive Grants of up to $90,668 for a section of the Duncan’s Building in central Christchurch and up to $50,888 for Islay Cottage in Ticehurst Road.

The facade of Duncan's Building in High Street.

The façade of Duncan's Building in High Street.

Both grants cover conservation and maintenance work for the earthquake-damaged heritage buildings.

Committee Chairperson Cr Phil Clearwater says it is important to hold on to our heritage amid a rapidly changing world.

“Both the façade and the cottage remind us of our history and we need to retain these past connections as we rebuild the city for the future,” Cr Clearwater says.

Built in 1905, the Duncan’s Building occupies a long stretch of High Street between St Asaph and Tuam streets.

The continuous brick façade is an important survivor of the central city’s heritage streetscape. The building was designed by two brothers, Alfred and Sidney Luttrell, who were well known for their commercial architecture, grandstands and Catholic churches.

Built in 1851 by carpenter Thomas Kent and later occupied by Lyttelton Harbour Master Captain Hugh McLellan, Islay Cottage on the corner of Ticehurst Road and Bridle Path Road in Lyttelton is a landmark early colonial dwelling which retains many original heritage features.