Repairs start on historic Fendalton fernery

An historic Fendalton fernery damaged in the earthquakes is being repaired and strengthened.

The Mona Vale Fernery was originally built for the New Zealand International Exhibition that was held in Hagley Park in 1906.

When the exhibition ended in 1907 the Fernery was sold to millionaire Annie Townsend who had it dismantled and reassembled at Mona Vale.

Over the years the Fernery fell into a state of disrepair, but it was substantially rebuilt in the late 1990s by Christchurch City Council, with support from the Mona Vale Fernery Restoration Group.

When the earthquakes hit the Fernery escaped with only minor damage but a subsequent detailed engineering evaluation assessed its structural strength at only 1 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS). A reassessment in 2015 saw that figure increase to 34 per cent when the Fernery was considered separately to the collapsed boundary wall.

Christchurch City Council has now engaged contractors Dominion Construction Ltd to fix the damage to the building and to strengthen it to 67 per cent of NBS.

The work should be completed by the end of October.

The exotic and native ferns housed in the Fernery will not be impacted by the work, which is mainly happening on the exterior of the building.