Hornby Clocktower

The Hornby Clocktower was a clock tower in southern Christchurch designed by architect Don Donnithorne in the 1960s, standing prominently on Main South Road. The structure rose tall and thin with clock faces visible from many directions around the area.

The tower was built in the 1960s and first housed the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board. It stood until 2014 when it was demolished following damage from the 2011 earthquake.

The ground floor served the community in different ways over time, first as a library, then as a training center for older people, and later as a coffee shop. These changing uses showed how the space adapted to what locals needed.

The site was located at the southern entrance to Christchurch on State Highway 1 and served as a navigation landmark for travelers. Those arriving from the south could spot it from a distance.

After the 2011 earthquake, the damaged site was not rebuilt with a new structure like many other locations in the city. Instead, the land later became the home of a fast food restaurant, marking a complete change in use.

GPS coordinates: -43.54346,172.52769

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46