Revitalising an architectural icon

 Richard Dalman 

Managing Director, Dalman Architects dalman.co.nz

Noah’s Hotel, built in the 1970s, quickly became an icon within the city, not only for its slick modernist appearance but also because of the hotel being the location of many memorable events for both visitors and locals alike. Many people – myself included – have fond memories of dinners, weddings, and functions held within the hotel. 

It was designed by Donald Crone, a Sydney architect responsible for many of that city’s central buildings. Rumour has it that Mr Crone was keen on a wee tipple, constantly carrying a hip flask with him, and that was perhaps the inspiration for the building’s form. I would suggest that a more elegant reason for the west façade’s gentle curve is that it simply complements the curve of the Avon River in front. 

Later rebranded as Rydges, the hotel was one of the few tall buildings that survived the earthquakes. The tower structure, with its concrete core flanked by the fluted concrete end walls, proved to be more than a match for the shaking. 

Recently purchased by joint venture partners Mainland Capital and Russell Property Group, the old hotel will be brought back to life with a grand entrance, more guest rooms, and a stylish restaurant and bar offering extending the building’s full length along Oxford Terrace. Set to become Christchurch’s premier food and beverage al fresco dining destination, the new design of this space sees it opening out to the Avon River, sheltered from the easterly and benefitting from full afternoon sunshine. 

The 15th-floor rooftop bar will be the highest in Christchurch, affording great views over Hagley Park and the Southern Alps beyond. 

Dalman Architects are proud to be involved in bringing this well-loved iconic hotel into the 21st century. The revitalised design maintains and celebrates many of the building’s key features such as the elegant gentle curves, the strong horizontal window arrangement, the white colour scheme, and internal circular stair. A new double-height lobby off Worcester Boulevard will now provide the hotel with the impressive entrance it had always deserved. 

Christchurch has lost much of its heritage and this is the best example of a tall, modernist building that remains in the city. The retention of the revitalised hotel will provide a strong connection to our city of the past and its collective memory well into the future, taking its place as a much-loved iconic building of the ‘new’ Christchurch to be enjoyed by all.