Cathedral Square
Situated in the centre of Christchurch, Cathedral Square features notable buildings and has been the focal point of civic activity.
Cathedral Square was first named Ridley Square to commemorate Bishop Nicholas Ridley, martyred at Oxford in 1550. (His co-martyrs and colleague bishops, Cranmer and Latimer, also have squares named after them). The square is laid out in the form of a cross.
The Square was originally designed to be a privately owned space for the Cathedral and a grammar school modelled on Christ Church, Oxford. However, the Square gradually became a community focal point and a major centre of activity. In 1974 it was redeveloped to provide large pedestrian areas, and traffic was diverted around the perimeter of the square.
Cathedral Square was occupied by people on February 22, 2011 when the 6.3 earthquake hit. Dramatic scenes occurred as the Christ Church Cathedral crumbled and a woman was rescued from a window in the cathedral tower. Many notable buildings around the square, including The Press building, Warner’s Hotel, the BNZ building, Government Life building, the Grant Thornton Building, Crystal Plaza and Chancery Chambers, were damaged and later demolished. The Old Government Building (now the Heritage Hotel) survived and reopened. The Old Chief Post Office building, another heritage feature, survived. Cathedral Square remained inside the CBD Red Zone cordon until 30 June 2013.
In 2018 the new library building, Tūranga, opened in the north western section of the square.
Police Kiosk by ChristChurch Cathedral
View of the Christchurch Central Police Station kiosk next to ChristChurch Cathedral in Cathedral Square. In the background is BNZ House with The Chalice to the right.
Police Kiosk and Novotel
View of the Christchurch Central Police Station kiosk looking east towards the Novotel with the ChristChurch Cathedral to the right and The Press building in the background.
Cathedral Square Market stalls
View of stalls at the Cathedral Square market looking south east towards BNZ House and The Chalice sculpture.
Cathedral Square looking south
View of Cathedral Square looking south towards Colombo Street. The ANZ Building is to the centre right with The Chalice sculpture in the foreground.
Former Government Building and Heritage Hotel
View from Cathedral Square on the corner with Worcester Street looking south east towards the former Government Building and the Heritage Hotel.
i-Site Visitor Centre
Exterior of the i-Site Visitor Centre in the former Chief Post Office Building in Cathedral Square. In the centre is the Regent Theatre building with signs for Yellow Rocket Bagels and Coffee and...
Government Life building in Cathedral Square
View of Cathedral Square, looking towards the north with the former Chief Post Office Building to the left and Government Life Building in the centre. In the foreground is the Cathedral Square market.
Cathedral Square looking south east
View of Cathedral Square, taken looking south east towards BNZ House and the Millennium Hotel. The Cathedral Square market is taking place in the centre.
Crowds in Cathedral Square
Crowds in Cathedral Square, with the Chief Post Office building Clarendon Tower visible in background.
Snow in Cathedral Square
View looking across Cathedral Square covered in snow towards the Regent Theatre.
Cathedral Square at night
View of Cathedral Square at night.
North East corner of Cathedral Square
North East corner of Cathedral Square looking towards Warners Hotel.
View of Cathedral Square
View of Cathedral Square from the tower of ChristChurch Cathedral. The Post Office Building is in the square looking South East towards South Hagley Park.