Credit: Peanut Productions
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Top Architecture
You are invited to discover Ōtautahi in a new light, through the city’s magnificent architecture at Open Christchurch 2025. Presented by Te Pūtahi, the annual festival returns bigger and better than ever from 2-4 May. With a selection of the city’s best buildings and designed spaces, attendees can get in behind the scenes and experience the city in a different way.
This year’s programme, the largest to date, includes 51 buildings, 4 guided walks, 4 free standing architectural structures and 2 designed landscapes, as well as a host of talks, tours, exhibitions and activities.
The works of Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort, Christchurch’s pre-eminent nineteenth-century architect and leading local exponent of the Gothic Revival style are celebrated in recognition of the bicentenary of his birth, along design excellence in performance spaces including the much anticipated opening of the Court Theatre.
Be sure to check out the tours, talks and buildings that relate to these themes over the course of the festival weekend. Take in a few highlights below and see openchch.nz for more details.
Credit: Peanut Productions
The Court Theatre
Be some of the first to explore the latest addition to Christchurch’s culture scape, The Court Theatre. Have a nosy around this brand-new building, while taking in the sophisticated design, which celebrates sustainability and optimises natural material, light and fresh air. Book in for a free tour with Athfield Architects to learn more, or explore performance spaces and interactive displays - there is something on offer for everyone.
Architects: Athfield Architects and Haworth Tompkins, 2025
Address: cnr Colombo & Gloucester streets
Open Sunday 4 May 11am–3pm: just turn up on the day
Credit: Peanut Productions
Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers
Get behind the fences on a guided tour of one of our most important Gothic Revival works, designed by pre-eminent local architect Benjamin Mountfort. Take a close look at the sole extant example of a purpose built provincial government complex in the country and find out more from the experts. You must be 12+ to attend.
Architects: Benjamin Mountfort, 1858-65
Address: Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May: 10 & 11am, 12 & 1pm
Bookings essential: At OpenCHCH
Credit: The Records
The Piano
Experience a building that has sound at the heart of its design. This curved-copper-clad arts facility boasts a variety of uses: enjoy open access to front and back of house, studios and offices, and appreciate how the acoustic quality of every space has been considered. Book in for a talk or design tour to find out more.
Architect: Wilkie + Bruce, 2016
Address: 156 Armagh Street
Open Sunday 4 May: 10am-2pm - just turn up on the day
Credit: Peanut Productions
Former Addington Gaol (now Jailhouse Accommodation)
Take the family along to the former gaol and delve into the past by taking a look into Victorian attitudes towards criminals. Built by the prisoners, the austere Mountfort Cell Block is one of the oldest in the country and is invigorated with Gothic Revival details. With its transformation into temporary accommodation, residents nowadays are voluntary.
Architects: Benjamin Mountfort, 1880
Address: 338 Lincoln Road, Addington
Open Saturday 3 May & Sunday 4 May: 11am -1pm
Controlled entry: be prepared to queue
Credit: Peanut Productions
Isaac Theatre Royal
Ornamental, expressive and much-loved, this iconic Edwardian building has long served as one of Christchurch’s pre-eminent performance venues. Experience the imaginative, sumptuous interior and take in the careful restoration of heritage elements such as the hand-painted canvas ceiling. Enjoy special access by joining a backstage tour or explore at your own pace with an audio tour.
Architects: Sidney and Alfred Luttrell, 1908; restoration: Warren & Mahoney, 2014
Address: 145 Gloucester Street
Open Sunday 4 May 10am-2pm: just turn up
Credit: Peanut Productions
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium at The Town Hall
Have you seen the wonderful documentary Maurice & I? Take another look at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium at the Christchurch Town Hall during Open Christchurch now that you are in the know. If you haven’t, come along and experience this internationally acclaimed auditorium anyhow and learn about its groundbreaking acoustic design with a self-guided tour.
Architects: Warren and Mahoney, 1966-1972 & 2019
Address: 86 Kilmore St
Saturday 3 May: 1-4pm - just turn up.
