Clarendon Tower, Modern office tower in Christchurch, New Zealand
Clarendon Tower was a 17-storey office building in central Christchurch standing around 68 meters tall, with the preserved facade of the former 1903 Clarendon Hotel incorporated at its base. The structure combined contemporary design above with heritage stonework below, creating a mixed-use architectural statement.
The tower was designed in 1987 by architect Miles Warren as a pioneer of facade preservation in Christchurch's development. It was severely damaged in the February 2011 earthquake and demolished in 2013.
The building showed how modern office space could work alongside an old hotel facade, keeping the Renaissance Revival stonework of the 1903 structure visible at ground level.
The building was accessed through central entrances and offered office spaces with city views. Today the site no longer exists, so visitors interested in its history can only view historical photographs and records of its original appearance.
The building gained attention during the 2011 earthquake when internal staircases collapsed, requiring critical rescue operations. This event highlighted how even modern structures could face sudden failure during natural disasters.
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