Iconic Mona Vale Bath House to be restored

Earthquake repair and strengthening work on the Mona Vale Bath House is about to begin.

Contractor Armitage Williams will be on site from next week and work is expected to be completed in the summer.

This small but charming building, which uses finely crafted timber framing and glazing bars rather than steel framing, was closed to the public following the Canterbury earthquakes. The restoration of the building is the final earthquake-related project to be completed at Mona Vale.

Due to budget constraints the work was to be deferred to 2029, however the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens began a fundraising campaign last year to help with the cost of repairs, amid fears the building would suffer further deterioration.

“We are thrilled that our fundraising efforts have allowed this restoration to be brought forward. Many Cantabrians supported our campaign which began with an Edwardian Garden Party very fitting for this beautiful garden and homestead,” says Jeanette Christensen, Convener Mona Vale sub-committee.

The local Community Board has also been instrumental in helping fund the restoration.

“It’s been a true community effort to get to this point and is a testament to what can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal,” says Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board Chair Jason Middlemiss.

“To have this lovely building play its part in the fabric of Christchurch life again and to have all the structures at Mona Vale restored to their original glory, is wonderful.”

Acting Director of the Botanic Gardens and Garden Parks Nicky Brown said getting underway with this work is such an important milestone in the Mona Vale restoration.

“Once complete, all of Mona Vale will be open for the whole community to enjoy for years to come. We cannot say thank you enough to the Friends of the Gardens and the Community Board for their support.” 

The Bath House building will be used to house a semi-tropical collection of plants, as well as become a public venue for small events. 

Originally designed to replicate an Edwardian conservatory, it functioned as an indoor swimming pool as well as growing a rare collection of sub-tropical plants imported by wealthy heiress, Annie Townend.

A keen gardener, Ms Townend bought the property - then known as Karewa - for $6,000 pounds in 1905. She changed its name to Mona Vale, added another nine acres and built the two bridges and the gatehouse. 

The Bath House was built between 1905 and 1914 and was intended to resemble the conservatory at Glenmark Station, her father’s property in Waipara.

Mona Vale was purchased in 1939 by Tracy T. Gough so there is a special connection for Fendalton Ward Councillor and Tracy T. Gough’s great-grandson James Gough.

“This is the final piece of the puzzle in Mona Vale’s restoration, and I am looking forward to it being finished for everyone to enjoy,” Councillor Gough said.

“I know my great-grandfather would also be pleased to see this work completed and the legacy of this important Christchurch heritage site protected for the next generation.”

The future is bright for the Bath House.

“To have the Bath House restored means that the Mona Vale staff can reinstate the building to house a collection of semi-tropical plants. Mona Vale staff are working with the conservatory staff at the Botanic Gardens to put together a collection which will complement those grown in Cunningham House and the other conservatories.

"This will allow the people of Christchurch and beyond to have access to a slice of botanical history as well as a beautiful garden to visit,” says Mrs Christensen.