The Manchester Courts building on the corner of Manchester and Hereford Streets is to be demolished following damage sustained in the 4 September earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.
When this seven-storey building was erected, it symbolised prosperity and growth amongst the business community in Christchurch. Designed by the Luttrell Brothers, the building was the tallest in New Zealand at the time at about 112 feet (34.13 metres) high. The building, originally the New Zealand Express Company, is registered with New Zealand Historic Places Trust who describe the building on their website:
The New Zealand Express Company building, now known as Manchester Courts, is significant as one of the earliest attempts at the Chicago skyscraper style in New Zealand. The building’s combination of contemporary American styles with the existing tradition of British architecture means this building occupies a unique place within the history of New Zealand commercial architecture
Find out more at Christchurch City Libraries:
- New Zealand Express Company Limited : sketch of the proposed building at the corner of Hereford and Manchester Streets, Christchurch
- A New Zealand sky-scraper
- Recycling of old buildings : a series of articles written by John Wilson ; illustrated by Kelvin McMillan, and published in The star between 28 September 1985 and 2 January 1988.
- Search Ebscohost Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre for Manchester Courts
More information on the demolition:
Christchurch City Libraries Blog 
So sad that it has to go. It would be nice if a building of equal value in today’s terms could be constructed in its place.