Guthrey Centre
Encyclopedia
The Guthrey Centre at 126 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City
, originally the offices of Andersons Foundry and later 'Andersons Ltd, was a Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
. The building was demolished following severe damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
(1820–1897) was one of the original "Pilgrims" of Christchurch, having arrived on the Sir George Seymour
in 1850. He was a blacksmith and in February 1852, he purchased section 877 for £12 in Cashel Street. This is the site where what would become the Guthrey Centre was to be built. He later purchased land on the north side of Cashel Street to build his family home, which he named Inveresk after his place of birth
.
The business expanded and by 1857, Anderson had added a foundry to his blacksmith shop. The production facilities were at the back of the site towards Lichfield Street. In 1866, with his new gained wealth, he could send his sons John and Andrew to Edinburgh
for schooling at the highly regarded Merchiston Castle School
. Both started their working career in Scotland, with John as a mechanical engineer
in Glasgow, and Andrew as a civil engineer
in Edinburgh. Upon their respective returns to New Zealand in 1873 and 1876, they worked in their father's business. In 1881, Anderson retired from the company, passing management on to John and Andrew.
From small beginnings, the business had grown to cover all sorts of engineering. Machinery was produced that would process the region's products. The company expanded after Anderson's retirement and became a major player in the production of railway hardware, road and rail bridges. A Lyttelton works was opened in 1887 to build and maintain vessels. The firm built gold dredges and the steel lighthouse for Farewell Spit
(1895–1896).
The Anderson's office building was constructed around 1881. It was to hold the offices for the production facilities, and offered shops facing Cashel Street.
The building was demolished following severe damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Trust Board had tried to save the building and offered a grant to the owner, Peter Guthrey, son of former mayor Ron Guthrey
. However, the "costs had not stacked up", said Guthrey.
(1832/3 – 1883). From 1870 until his death, he was the dominant commercial architect in Christchurch. Andersons Foundry was a fine example of Venetian Renaissance architecture
. The building was significant due to the fine façade and because few of Armson's buildings had survived until today.
Christchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
, originally the offices of Andersons Foundry and later 'Andersons Ltd, was a Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
. The building was demolished following severe damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
History
John AndersonJohn Anderson (mayor)
John Anderson was the second Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand 1868–1869, and a successful businessman. He had a close connection with three buildings that have later received Category I heritage registrations by the...
(1820–1897) was one of the original "Pilgrims" of Christchurch, having arrived on the Sir George Seymour
Sir George Seymour (ship)
The Sir George Seymour was one of the first four ships in 1850 to carry emigrants from England to the new colony of Canterbury in New Zealand. The other three ships were Cressy, Charlotte-Jane and Randolph.-Voyage:...
in 1850. He was a blacksmith and in February 1852, he purchased section 877 for £12 in Cashel Street. This is the site where what would become the Guthrey Centre was to be built. He later purchased land on the north side of Cashel Street to build his family home, which he named Inveresk after his place of birth
Inveresk
Inveresk is a civil parish and was formerly a village that now forms the southern part of Musselburgh. It is situated on slightly elevated ground at the south of Musselburgh in East Lothian, Scotland...
.
The business expanded and by 1857, Anderson had added a foundry to his blacksmith shop. The production facilities were at the back of the site towards Lichfield Street. In 1866, with his new gained wealth, he could send his sons John and Andrew to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
for schooling at the highly regarded Merchiston Castle School
Merchiston Castle School
Merchiston Castle School is an independent school for boys in the village of Colinton in Edinburgh, Scotland. It has about 480 pupils and is open to boys between the ages of 8 and 18 as either boarders or day pupils; day pupils make up 35% of the school....
. Both started their working career in Scotland, with John as a mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in Glasgow, and Andrew as a civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
in Edinburgh. Upon their respective returns to New Zealand in 1873 and 1876, they worked in their father's business. In 1881, Anderson retired from the company, passing management on to John and Andrew.
From small beginnings, the business had grown to cover all sorts of engineering. Machinery was produced that would process the region's products. The company expanded after Anderson's retirement and became a major player in the production of railway hardware, road and rail bridges. A Lyttelton works was opened in 1887 to build and maintain vessels. The firm built gold dredges and the steel lighthouse for Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit is a narrow sand spit situated at , at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand. Known to the Māori as Tuhuroa, it runs eastwards from Cape Farewell, the island's northernmost point...
(1895–1896).
The Anderson's office building was constructed around 1881. It was to hold the offices for the production facilities, and offered shops facing Cashel Street.
The building was demolished following severe damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Trust Board had tried to save the building and offered a grant to the owner, Peter Guthrey, son of former mayor Ron Guthrey
Ron Guthrey
Albert Ronald Guthrey OBE MC was a councillor for Christchurch City Council for 22 years before being elected Mayor of Christchurch. He was a World War II veteran and he and his family were well known business operators in Christchurch.-Early life:Guthrey was born in Rawene, Hokianga on 15...
. However, the "costs had not stacked up", said Guthrey.
Architecture
The building was designed by William ArmsonWilliam Armson
William Barnett Armson was an architect, surveyor, engineer in colonial New Zealand. A co-founder of the Canterbury Association of Architects, and an architect to the provincial government, he established the architectural firm of Armson, Collins and Harman in 1870, which remained active until 1993...
(1832/3 – 1883). From 1870 until his death, he was the dominant commercial architect in Christchurch. Andersons Foundry was a fine example of Venetian Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
. The building was significant due to the fine façade and because few of Armson's buildings had survived until today.