Latimer Square
{{Short description|Park in Christchurch, New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
File:Latimer Square, Christchurch, New Zealand.jpg
Latimer Square is an urban park in central Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located {{convert|400|m|yards}} east of the city's centre, Cathedral Square. Many commemorative events take place in Latimer Square.{{Cite web|title=Latimer Square|url=https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/running-an-event/central-city-event-venues-map/latimer-square/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=ccc.govt.nz|language=en-GB}} The square lies between the major urban thoroughfares of Gloucester Street and Worcester Street. Madras Street runs north and south to Latimer Square. The square (actually a rectangle) is grassed and crossed by concrete paths and edged by mature trees. It covers an area of a little over {{convert|1.8|ha|acres}}."[https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/running-an-event/central-city-event-venues-map/latimer-square Latimer Square]," Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
History
Like its near neighbour Cranmer Square, Latimer Square was named for an early protestant martyr, Bishop Hugh Latimer. Latimer Square was part of the original design of Christchurch when it was surveyed between 1849 and 1850 by Edward Jollie.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=24 November 2014|title=Christchurch City Council District Plan HERITAGE ASSESSMENT – STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE HERITAGE ITEM NUMBER 325 LATIMER SQUARE|url=https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Central%20City/HID%20325.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=17 October 2020|website=www.ccc.govt.nz}}
Latimer Square was used for horse racing, sports events and the Agricultural and Pastoral (A & P) Show until the 1880s. Worcester Street was extended through Latimer Square in 1885 to allow the tram line to reach the centre of town. A band rotunda was built at this time and then removed in 1894.
The Prince of Wales attended a civic reception in Latimer Square in 1920. Air raid trenches were dug in Latimer Square during World War 2. The square was again closed off to Worcester Street in 2006. Latimer Square became a well known spot for prostitutes to walk the streets in pre-earthquake Christchurch.{{Cite web|title=Oh! Latimer Square|url=http://www.quakestories.govt.nz/210/story/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=QuakeStories|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=21 April 2013|title=Sex workers return to old haunt|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/editors-picks/8579134/Sex-workers-return-to-old-haunt|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=SWEETMAN|first=BRIDIE|date=9 September 2017|title=PROTECTING THE SEXUAL HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF STREET-BASED SEXWORKERS IN CHRISTCHURCH|url=https://www.nzshs.org/events/nzshs-conferences/2017-conference-in-christchurch/saturday-9th-september/330-protecting-the-sexual-health-and-reproductive-rights-of-street-based-sex-workers-in-christchurch/file|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=17 October 2020|website=}}{{Cite web|title=Prostitution, crime deterred in new Christchurch CBD|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2013/09/25/prostitution-crime-deterred-in-new-christchurch-cbd|access-date=17 October 2020|website=1 NEWS|language=en-US}}{{Cite thesis|last=Drury|first=Glenys I|date=2018|title=Contested landscapes: An exploration into street-based sex work and its implications for urban design in Christchurch, New Zealand |hdl= 10182/10057 | type=Dissertation|publisher=School of Landscape Architecture, Lincoln University}}
The buildings around Latimer Square were badly damaged during the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes and Latimer Square was used to triage the injured after the earthquake of 22 February 2011. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Latimer Square in April 2014 to help promote the 2015 Cricket World Cup.{{Cite web|date=14 April 2014|title=Royal tour heads to Christchurch|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9939283/Royal-tour-heads-to-Christchurch|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} A sculpture, commemorating the loss of ChristChurch Cathedral in the 2011 earthquake was installed by its artist, Neil Dawson, in the square in 2014.
Notable buildings
Many of the buildings which surrounded Latimer Square were either destroyed during, or demolished in the aftermath of, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, among them:
= Christchurch Transitional Cathedral =
File:Latimer Square 27.jpg. Latimer Square]]
Since the earthquake, the square has been the site of the city's temporary Anglican Cathedral also known as the Cardboard Cathedral.
= St John the Baptist Church =
One of Christchurch's first stone churches, St John the Baptist Anglican church, was built south of the square in 1864."[https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/squares-of-christchurch/ The Squares of Christchurch]," Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 16 June 2020. The architect was Maxwell Bury. The stone church had an octagonal tower. It had a congregation of 450 just prior to the earthquakes in 2010.{{Cite book |last=Ansley |first=Bruce |title=Christchurch Heritage|publisher=Random House|year=2011|location=New Zealand|pages=98–101}}File:St John the Baptist Church, Christchurch 01.jpg
= Fletcher Building housing developments =
With many of the buildings surrounding Latimer Square demolished, Fletcher Building won the tender to master plan and build housing in the area. With development continuing, initial sales have been reported to be slow in the media.{{Cite web|date=9 October 2020|title=Christchurch mayor suggests attracting Auckland businesses could boost CBD population|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/real-estate/123034596/christchurch-mayor-suggests-attracting-auckland-businesses-could-boost-cbd-population|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=18 October 2019|title=Concern at sluggish sales of central Christchurch's east frame homes|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/116622036/concern-at-sluggish-sales-of-central-christchurchs-east-frame-homes|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=26 January 2020|title=Fletcher 'positive' about new Christchurch housing project in tough market|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/119011180/fletcher-positive-about-new-christchurch-housing-project-in-tough-market|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}
= Christchurch Club =
The Christchurch Club's buildings, with repairs completed after the earthquake, are also located on Latimer Square. It is a category 1 historic place built in between 1861 and 1862.{{Cite web|date=14 November 2011|title=Clubs keen to reopen doors in city|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/your-property/5851964/Clubs-keen-to-reopen-doors-in-city|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}
= Occidental Hotel =
File:Occidental Hotel, Christchurch, 2009.jpg
The Occidental Hotel (208 Hereford Street) was built in 1861. It was designed by Samuel Coleridge Farr. It was originally known as Collins' Family Hotel and Boarding House. In 1889, it became known as the Occidental. In 1982 the hotel was renovated. Sheppard and Rout (Architects) designed the refurbishment which included a lounge bar and restaurant. Flappers, a bar with a 1930s theme which opened in October 1985. In 1996, Flappers became the Bull Bar. In 1998 it was turned into a backpackers hotel. It became progressively run down and closed down in August 2006. It was demolished in 2011 after sustaining earthquake damage. The Occidental was registered as a Category II historic place (#1913){{Cite web|date=17 March 2017|title=Remembering Christchurch hangouts of the 80s and 90s|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/90497327/remembering-christchurch-hangouts-of-the-80s-and-90s|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Occidental Hotel|url=http://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/occidental-hotel|access-date=17 October 2020|website=canterburystories.nz|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Perry's Occidental Hotel (Christchurch, N.Z.)|url=https://national-library.natlib.nz/records/30623655|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Perry's Occidental Hotel (Christchurc... {{!}} Items {{!}} National Library of New Zealand {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|language=en}}
= Charlie B's Backpackers =
File:Charlie B's Backpackers cropped.jpg
Charlie B's sat at the northern end of Latimer Square. It was demolished after the Canterbury earthquakes. A competition was held for the design of replacement buildings for the site. The competition judging panel included Kevin McCloud from the UK television series Grand Designs.{{Cite web|date=22 October 2013|title=Italian firm designs urban village for Chch|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/city-centre/9312926/Italian-firm-designs-urban-village-for-Chch|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} The competition was won by Italian architects Anselmi Attiani Architettura and engineers Cresco in 2013 to redevelop the site. Their plans stalled in 2015 with the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) declaring that the developers had failed to meet a deadline to secure the required funding for the project.{{Cite web|date=3 December 2015|title=Breathe a 'lost opportunity'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/74430284/breathe-a-lost-opportunity|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} Gerry Brownlee, the earthquake recovery minister said that the project for the $30 million urban village "should never have started in the first place".{{Cite web|date=3 July 2015|title=Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee slates Breathe Urban Village|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/69935284/recovery-minister-gerry-brownlee-slates-breathe-urban-village|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} A second attempt in 2018 to redevelop the site occurred with the Ōtautahi Urban Guild chosen to develop the site. They had plans for a 150 home development and intended to offer properties for 10 to 20 per cent cheaper than those from private sector.{{Cite web|date=21 December 2018|title=Sustainable apartment plan chosen for Crown-owned Christchurch site|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/109545173/sustainable-apartment-plan-chosen-for-crownowned-christchurch-site|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} Despite getting a loan of $450,000 from the Christchurch City Council in 2019{{Cite web|date=28 November 2019|title=Christchurch community housing project gets ratepayer money|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/117761892/christchurch-community-housing-project-gets-ratepayer-money|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} the development collapsed in December 2020.{{Cite web|date=1 December 2020|title=Second proposal for 'demonstration' village in central Christchurch collapses|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123566770/second-proposal-for-demonstration-village-in-central-christchurch-collapses|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} The site still remained vacant in 2020.{{Cite web|date=20 November 2015|title=Crown calls time on central Christchurch residential development|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/74267445/crown-calls-time-on-central-christchurch-residential-development|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} In March 2021, it was announced that developers Mike Greer and Richard Peebles had purchased the land and planned to build more than 100 houses on the site. Work is expected to start later in 2021 on the site. There is expected to be a mix of two bedroom apartments built above retail space and three-bedroom townhouses which will surround a communal garden space.{{Cite web|date=29 March 2021|title=Prominent developers to build 110 homes on vacant central Christchurch block|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/124691628/prominent-developers-to-build-110-homes-on-vacant-central-christchurch-block|access-date=30 March 2021|website=Stuff|language=en}}
= Park Tower =
One of Christchurch's few tall apartment buildings, it was on the Christchurch City Council's "Dirty 30" list of buildings holding up the central city rebuild.{{Cite web|date=25 May 2017|title=Insurance wrangles delay progress on Christchurch's 'dirty 30' list of derelict properties|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/92957824/insurance-wrangles-delay-progress-on-christchurchs-dirty-30-list-of-derelict-properties|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} Repair work is complete in October 2020.
= Radio Network House =
Radio Network House was imploded after suffering damage in the Canterbury earthquakes.{{Cite web|date=5 August 2012|title=Radio Network House imploded|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/7415790/Radio-Network-House-imploded|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}} The 14-storey building was demolished by 60 kg of explosives. This was the first ever example of a controlled implosion of a building in New Zealand.{{Cite web|title=Radio Network House Demolition|url=https://www.naylorlove.co.nz/project/radio-network-house/|access-date=30 March 2021|website=Naylor Love, Commercial Construction|language=en-AU}}
= Rydges Latimer Hotel =
The Latimer Lodge was one of the first hotels to be redeveloped after the Canterbury earthquakes costing an estimated $25 million dollars. The foundations designed to withstand future earthquakes took about 14 weeks to complete and required about 900 cubic metres of concrete{{Cite web|title=Latimer Hotel – first on the block|url=https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/first-on-the-block-the-latimer-hotel/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Architecture Now|language=en-AU}} The Latimer Lodge rebranded as a Rydge's Hotel. It has an estimated 138 rooms.{{Cite web|date=4 September 2013|title=Rydges Latimer boosts city's room numbers|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/9127539/Rydges-Latimer-boosts-citys-room-numbers|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Stuff|language=en}}
References
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Category:Parks in Christchurch