Monday 28 November 2016
Mona Vale Homestead opens its doors
After nearly two years of meticulous repair and restoration work, the picturesque Mona Vale Homestead reopened this
morning.
Built in 1899–1900, Mona Vale Homestead is classed by Heritage New Zealand and Christchurch City Council as being of the
highest possible heritage significance. The building has a long history, most recently as a popular restaurant and venue
for weddings, parties and conferences. In the February 2011 earthquake, the Homestead – with its unreinforced brick
construction – was badly damaged.
The ribbon was cut by Fendalton Councillor Jamie Gough, whose family owned Mona Vale from 1939 to 1962.
“Mona Vale dates back to the very earliest days of Christchurch,” Cr Gough says. “The Homestead as we see it today has
undergone quite the transformation – from a picture of collapsed masonry and extensive damage into a
seismically-strengthened masterpiece that can once again play a significant role in the life of Christchurch.”
The Council’s Heritage Programme team has repaired and strengthened the homestead to 67 per cent of the New Building
Standard, with upgrades made to the heating and lighting systems.
“The Homestead has been painstakingly reassembled, brick by brick, so it looks just as it did beforehand – only now it
has a steel and timber structure behind the facade that will ensure its future is at least as long as its history,” Cr
Gough says.
The property has been buzzing with activity of late, with other treasured heritage buildings on the site getting the
royal treatment. The Mona Vale Fernery and Mona Vale Lodge are now repaired and open to the public, and work is
currently underway on the Mona Vale Gate House. The historic rose garden wall and the Mona Vale Bath House are next on
the list.
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