19th century iconic building beginning a new life   21 Oct 2010

Word of Mouth Media

                                                   

One of New Zealand’s greatest iconic 19th century buildings, the Grosvenor in Timaru, has finally begun a new life, after a rich and chequered past.

While Christchurch has lost great old buildings in the recent 7.1 earthquake, Timaru has had a choice and is finally seeing tourist value in protecting its heritage.

Affectionately known as the Grand Old Lady of the South, the Grosvenor is entwined in Timaru's history with ornate styling dating back to when it was built in 1885. It has been resuscitated to much of its former elegance and glory by new owner, Ping Lim of Timaru.Celebrities, international rugby teams and royalty have all slept at the Grosvenor over the years. The highlight of the Grosvenor was in 1950s when the Queen stayed there for the Golden Jubilee and she set up camp again in the 1970s when her yacht was berthed at Timaru, Lim said today.

``She slept in room 101 and we still have her menu where she was offered baked mountain trout and Veuve Clicquot champagne among other delicacies. Her historic 101 room is under renovation now and will be re-opened in grand style before Christmas. We are committed to maintaining the heritage and the glory of the Grosvenor Hotel for another 15 years,’’ he said.

Lim has done the South Canterbury huge a huge favour as New Zealand has always been short of good buildings.  Timaru has had a prosperous past and still has more than Victorian and Edwardian buildings than most New Zealand cities. It will begin to prosper as a result of protecting its its architectural history just as smaller neighbouring Oamaru has for some years.

The Grosvenor is one of the most important buildings in Timaru and Lim has injected life back into the old building – which was also famous as being the very site where the Canterbury Rugby Union was first formed in 1879 and a plaque on the building stating that still remains.

The revived hotel is once again showing off its old kauri floor and rimu panelling. The once-hidden floorboards are now exposed around the bar and the dining area, hidden by carpet only in the seating area and by the fire. In the dining are a cabinet holds mementos of the hotel's past and above these treasures sits the old Grosvenor Hotel sign, brought back into the gaze of the public after many years of being in storage.

``We tried to respect the English heritage of the Grosvenor and its heritage listed values as we brought the Old Lady back to life. But we also mixed the best elements of heritage with Banksy art.

``But we like the creaking old floorboards, uneven wall lining, and different layout for every room – because that makes the historical charm of the hotel. The challenge has been to bring the old hotel to 21st technology.  We have installed wi-fi, heat-pump hot water, LED lights and some of the finest artists Bill Hammond, Hannah Kidd, James Robinson, Lonnie Hutchinson, Rob McDowell (a student of Doris Lusk), Shiori Matsumoto and Bill Scott.

``Timaru used to be famous for its bricks, just like Oamaru stone.  Red bricks were its forte and kilns were everywhere until materials ran out.  So, just outside the Grosvenor's entrance is a brick arch, paying homage to its original local industry. By the time renovation is completed later next year, we would have the first HoMA (Hotel of Modern Art) in New Zealand.’’

Many famous New Zealand musicians have recently performed at the older silver service e hotel including Phoenix Foundation (award winner of this year's best group), Black Seeds and the Jordan Luck Band.

The Russian rugby team will be staying at the Grosvenor for a week in January in the build up to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Ends

 

Add a comment

News

Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students

29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more

New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process

7 Mar 2020 News By Rt HON WINSTON PETERS
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more

Business

NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19

17 Mar 2020 Business News By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more

NZ Government announces aviation relief package

19 Mar 2020 Business News By Hon Phil Twyford
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more

Living

Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London

6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall. It was the first... more

Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate

12 Jan 2022 Arts By Charlotte Everett
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...  New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more

Property

Fairer rules for tenants and landlords

17 Nov 2019 Property By Minister Kris Faafoi
17 NOVEMBER 2019 The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more

New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax

17 Apr 2019 Property By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more

Migration

Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued

19 Nov 2019 Migration By Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
19 NOVEMBER 2019 We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more

Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location

18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018 HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more

Travel

Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more

New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas more

Sport

The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners

27 Oct 2019 Cricket By Charlotte Everett
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more

PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final

26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more

Columns

Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade

11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade First published on Werewolf The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more

Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome

10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell   Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more

Kiwi Success

Congratulations to Loder Cup winner

26 Sep 2018 People By Hon Eugenie Sage
25 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more

Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO HON JENNY SALESA Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more

Recruitment

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

14 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

22 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more