Cranmer Court

Cranmer Court was originally a teacher training school built from 1876 with Gothic Revival features and located at the corner of Kilmore and Montreal Streets. Its most distinctive feature was an octagonal room at this intersection, making the building immediately recognizable from the street corner.

The building was designed by Samuel Farr after he won an architectural competition in 1873, with construction completed in 1876 by contractor Daniel Reese. It served as a school for decades before being converted to apartments, and was eventually demolished following the 2011 earthquake.

The site was a place where future teachers learned their craft by observing experienced instructors at work with students. Today visitors can walk through spaces that once bustled with this educational activity and understand how teacher training developed in early New Zealand.

The building was located at a central corner intersection in downtown Christchurch, making it easy to find and approach from multiple directions. The Gothic details and octagonal corner room were clearly visible from the street, helping visitors identify the structure at a glance.

The structure survived the 1888 earthquake with only minor damage, proving its solid construction. However, it could not withstand the devastating 2011 earthquake that struck Christchurch, and it was demolished in 2012.