# List of tallest buildings in Christchurch

This list of tallest buildings in Christchurch ranks high-rise buildings in Christchurch, New Zealand, by height.
Although New Zealand's second-largest city, Christchurch is predominantly low-rise. The current tallest building is the Pacific Tower, which was completed in 2010 and rises to 86.5 metres (284 ft). It is the seventh building to have held this title.
Many high-rise buildings were demolished following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, making it the single worst event for high rise destruction in history.
Of the 54 buildings standing at least 35 metres (115 ft) before the earthquakes only 18 remain, with the remainder having been demolished.

## Background
### 1900–1979

Manchester Courts, earlier known as the MLC Building, was the city's first commercial high-rise building. Built in 1905–1906 for the New Zealand Express Company, it was at the time the tallest commercial building in Christchurch. A Category I heritage building since 1991, it suffered serious structural damage in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and was condemned to be demolished. Demolition began on 19 October 2010, and was completed in February 2011.
The BNZ Building in Cathedral Square has one of the oldest histories of the buildings listed here, as it replaced the earlier BNZ Building from 1866. The replacement was begun in 1961 as a four-storey building designed by Christchurch architect G. W. Bucknell. Work ceased abruptly in 1963, when the bank announced that they would redevelop the whole site (which included the removal of the historic bank building) and incorporate the four-storey building into the high-rise. The 51 metres (167 ft) high-rise was designed by Sydney firm Stephenson and Turner and completed in 1967.

### 1980–1999

Throughout the 1980s Christchurch saw a high-rise boom, with some of the cities tallest, and most recognisable, buildings constructed during this period. Notable structures include:
Hotel Grand Chancellor, was completed in 1986, and at the time held the title of tallest building. Rising to 85 metres (279 ft), the 26-storey hotel suffered critical structural failure following the 2011 earthquakes and was subsequently demolished shortly after.
Clarendon Tower, designed by Warren and Mahoney, was constructed during 1986/87 on the site of the former Clarendon Hotel. It retained most of the historic hotel's façade, which was the first example of facadism in Christchurch. The 17-storey structure failed in the February 2011 earthquake, with the internal staircases collapsing and the building 'ballooning' in the middle by some 100 millimetres (3.9 in).
Forsyth Barr Building (now Crowne Plaza Hotel) is one of only two high-rise structure of those constructed throughout this period which still remain. The 19-storey tower is now the second-tallest building in Christchurch. After suffering staircase collapse in the earthquakes, The building was sold "as is where is" in August 2014 to a local consortium who have since repaired and converted it into a hotel.
Radio Network House, a 14-storey building in Worcester Street was completed in 1986. Following the earthquakes it was imploded on 5 August 2012 and was New Zealand's first ever controlled building demolition by explosives.
Also constructed during this time were the Westpac Canterbury Centre, PricewaterhouseCoopers centre, and the Centra Building.

### 2000–2010

The 2000s saw continued high-rise development across the city, with many buildings having been constructed during this time still remaining. Notable structures include:
Pacific Tower, rising 86.5 metres (284 ft), is the city's tallest building. Following the earthquakes, it was repaired and reopened on 1 May 2013 and currently houses the Fable Hotel.
Club Tower, designed by Weirwalker Architecture in Worcester Boulevard, which first opened in 2009. This was the first high-rise to open again after the February 2011 earthquake, with the first tenants moving back in on 30 May 2011. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority later moved into the top floors of the building, with CEO Roger Sutton's office the "highest office in town".
Novotel Hotel at Cathedral Square was completed in 2010. Rising 15-storeys, it was repaired following the earthquakes and reopened on 19 August 2013.
Also constructed during this time were the Gallery Apartments, Victoria Square Tower, and Oxford Apartments.

### 2011–present

High-rise construction following the 2010/2011 earthquakes has largely been blocked due to height-limits imposed by the Christchurch City Council. Buildings were restricted to 28 metres (92 ft), unless a structure which exceeded this height had previously stood on the site.
In the decade following 2011, only two buildings standing above 35 metres (115 ft) have been constructed, with a further three currently under construction.
In September 2024, Council voted to remove height restrictions within certain areas of the CBD, and loosened requirements surrounding the need for developers to apply for resource consent. This was in response to the central governments push for the development of intensive housing.
As of September 2024, there are currently two active proposals to develop buildings standing taller than 35 metres (115 ft) and numerous more which, while inactive, have yet to be officially cancelled.

## Lists
### Tallest buildings

This lists ranks Christchurch high-rises that stand at least 35 metres (115 ft) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
Colour key
| Rank | Name | Height m (feet) | Floors | Year | Purpose | Architect | Builder | Notes |
| 1 | Pacific Tower, 166 Gloucester St | 86.5 (284) | 23 | 2010 | Hotel & Apartments | Rob Campbell | AMC Construction | Reopened 1 May 2013 |
| 2 | Crowne Plaza Hotel (former Forsyth Barr Building), 764 Colombo St | 71 (233) | 19 | 1989 | Hotel | Warren and Mahoney | Paynter Construction | Reopened 1 July 2017 as Crowne Plaza Hotel |
| 3 | Rydges Hotel (former Noah's), 170 Oxford Tce | 60 (200) | 15 | 1975 | Hotel | Donald Crone & Associates | Fletcher Construction | Undergoing repairs. |
| 4 | Distinction Hotel (formerly the Millennium Christchurch), 14 Cathedral Sq | 55.5 (182) | 14 | 1974 | Hotel | Hank Henning | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 6 March 2018 |
| 5 | Novotel Hotel, 50 Cathedral Sq | 53.5 (176) | 15 | 2010 | Hotel | Dalman Architecture | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 19 August 2013 |
| 6 | Puaka–James Hight Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave | 53 (174) | 11 | 1974 | Library & Office | Ministry of Works | CS Luney Construction | Reopened 2013 |
| 7= | Waipapa Tower 1 & 2, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave | 50 (160) | 10 | 2018 | Hospital | Chow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc Health | Schick Construction for earthworks and CPD Construction for tower | Tallest building completed since the earthquakes |
| 7= | Waipapa Tower 3, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave | 50 (160) | 10 | 2025 | Hospital | Chow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc Health | Naylor Love | Scheduled for completion third quarter 2025 |
| 9 | One New Zealand Stadium, 218 Madras St | 48 (157) | n/a | 2026 | Stadium | Warren and Mahoney | BESIX Watpac | Scheduled for completion April 2026 |
| 10 | Club Tower, 62 Worcester Blvd | 45.5 (149) | 12 | 2010 | Office | Weirwalker Architecture | Hawkins Construction | Reopened 30 May 2011 |
| 11= | Christchurch Civic Offices (former Post Centre), 53 Hereford St | 45 (148) | 8 | 1981 | Office | Athfield Architects | Hawkins Construction | Reopened October 2011 |
| 11= | University of Otago, Christchurch Medical School, 2 Riccarton Ave | 45 (148) | 12 | 1973 | School | Ministry of Works | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 2013 |
| 11= | Oxford Apartments, 66 Oxford Tce | 45 (148) | 12 | 2005 | Residential | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Repaired |
| 14 | Huadu Innovation Hub (Former IRD Building) | 42.5 (139) | 8 | 2007 | Office | Sumich Architects | C Lund and Son Construction | Repaired |
| 15 | Telecom Building, 31 Cathedral Sq | 42.4 (139) | 12 | 1992 | Office | Griffith Moffat and Partners | Hawkins Construction | Partially reopened |
| 16= | Wai-Ora, Otago University Building, 20 Oxford Tce | 40 (130) | 6 | 2026 | University | Warren and Mahoney | Leighs Construction | Under Construction |
| 16= | West Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue | 40 (130) | 8 | 1965 | University | Ministry of Works | Williamson Construction. | Open |
| 16= | 161 Hereford Suites (former Harmony Towers), 161 Hereford St | 40 (130) | 10 | 1988 | Hotel | Gabites Porter & Partners | Highcroft Properties | To be repaired |
| 19 | Christchurch Women's Hospital | 38 (125) | 9 | 2005 | Hospital | Chow Hill Architects Ltd | Hawkins Construction | Reopened |
| 20= | State Insurance Building, 116 Worcester St | 36 (118) | 10 | 1970 | Office | Collins & Son | W. Williamson & Sons | To be repaired |
| 20= | The Gloucester, 28 Gloucester St | 36 (118) | 10 | 1991 | Residential | Wilkie & Bruce | C. S. Luney Ltd | Open |
| 22 | Christchurch Hospital, Riverside Block | 35.5 (116) | 8 | 1974 | Hospital | Ministry of Works | Fletcher Construction | Reopened |

### Proposed buildings

This lists ranks Christchurch high-rises are/were proposed to stand at least 35 metres (115 ft) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
Colour key
| Name | Height m (feet) | Floors | Year | Purpose | Architect | Notes |
| Garden City Tower, 101 Victoria Square | | 13 | 2008 | Office/Apartments | | Cancelled shortly after its proposal. A three storey carpark was constructed however damaged and demolished after the earthquakes |
| The Pinnacle, 79 Lichfield St | 80 (260) | 26 | 2009 | Apartments | | Would have been the tallest building in the city at the time if completed. Cancelled 2010 |
| West Kilmore Aprtments, 52 Kilmore St | | 11 | 2015 | Apartments | | Scaled back to a 9 floor tower before being cancelled in 2017 |
| Verve Precinct, 52 Peterborough St | | 11 | 2016 | Apartments | | On the former Est@blishment site. Cancelled in 2017 due to lack of sales |
| Cathedral Towers, 26 Cathedral Sq | | 15/12 | 2016 | Apartments | Sheppard & Rout | Two towers. Cancelled in 2017 |
| Holiday Inn Express, 160 Gloucester St | | 14 | 2016 | Hotel | | $30 million development |
| The Peterborough, 359 Durham St North | | 10 | 2018 | Hotel | | $85 million development |
| Clarendon Tower, 78 Worcester St | | 16 | 2019 | Hotel & Office | | A replacement for the demolished Clarendon Tower |
| 47 Cathedral Sq | | 12 | 2019 | Office | | Replacement for the Grant Thornton Building |
| 173 Cashel St | 44 (144) | 13 | 2022 | Hotel | | Likely to be a 4-to-5 star hotel |
| 137 Cambridge Tce | 42 (138) | 11 | 2024 | Hotel | | Replacement for the Harley Chambers |
| 52 Peterborough St | | 11 | 2024 | Hotel | | On the former Est@blishment site |
| 56 Worcester St | | 16 | 2024 | Hotel & Office | MAP Arctiects | |
| Waipapa Tower 3, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave | 58.8 (193) | 10 | 2025 | Hospital | Chow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc Health | Scheduled for completion third quarter 2025 |
| One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha), 218 Madras St | 48 (157) | n/a | 2026 | Stadium | Warren and Mahoney | Under construction with completion set for early 2026 |
| Otago University Building, 20 Oxford Tce | 40 (130) | 6 | 2026 | Medical School | Warren and Mahoney | Scheduled for completion 2026 |

### Tallest buildings prior to the February 2011 earthquake

This lists ranks Christchurch high-rises that stand/stood at least 35 metres (115 ft) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
Colour key
| Rank | Name | Height m (feet) | Floors | Year | Purpose | Architect | Builder | Notes |
| 1 | Pacific Tower, 166 Gloucester St | 86.5 (284) | 23 | 2010 | Hotel & residential | Rob Campbell | AMC Construction | Reopened 1 May 2013 |
| 2 | Hotel Grand Chancellor, 161 Cashel St | 85 (279) | 20 | 1986 | Hotel | Warren and Mahoney | Forbes Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 3 | PricewaterhouseCoopers, 118 Armagh St | 79 (259) | 21 | 1990 | Office | Wilkie & Bruce | Wilkins & Davies Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 4 | Forsyth Barr Building, 764 Colombo St | 71 (233) | 19 | 1989 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | Paynter Construction | Reopened 1 July 2017 as Crowne Plaza Hotel |
| 5 | Clarendon Tower, 78 Worcester St | 67.7 (222) | 18 | 1988 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | Paynter Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 6 | Radio Network House, 155 Worcester St | 61 (200) | 14 | 1986 | Office | Sheppard & Rout | Forbes Construction | Imploded on 5 August 2012 |
| 7 | Rydges Hotel (former Noah's), 170 Oxford Tce | 60 (200) | 15 | 1975 | Hotel | Donald Crone & Associates | Fletcher Construction | To be repaired |
| 8 | Centra Building (Holiday Inn), Cnr High and Cashel Sts | 60 (200) | 15 | 1989 | Hotel | Peter Beaven | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 9 | Westpac Canterbury Centre, cnr High and Cashel Sts | 55.1 (181) | 14 | 1983 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 10 | James Hight Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave | 53 (174) | 11 | 1974 | Library | Ministry of Works | C. S. Luney Ltd | Reopened 2013 |
| 11 | Christchurch Central Police Station, 48 Hereford St | 52 (171) | 14 | 1973 | Office | Ministry of Works architects | W. Williamsom & Sons | Imploded on 31 May 2015 |
| 12 | Victoria Square Tower (The Rutherford), 100 Armagh St | 51.8 (170) | 15 | 2006 | Residential | Buchan Group | Hawkins Construction | Demolished 2014 |
| 13 | Novotel Hotel, 50 Cathedral Sq | 51.6 (169) | 15 | 2010 | Hotel | Dalman Architecture | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 19 August 2013 |
| 14 | Heritage Hotel, 28–30 Cathedral Sq | 51.6 (169) | 12 | 1971 | Hotel | | Forbes Construction | Demolished 2013 |
| 15 | Millennium Christchurch, 14 Cathedral Sq | 51.2 (168) | 14 | 1974 | Hotel | Hank Henning | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 6 March 2018 as Distinction Hotel |
| 16 | BNZ Building, 129 Hereford St | 51 (167) | 12 | 1967 | Office | Stephenson & Turner | P.D. Graham & Co. | Demolished 2017 |
| 17 | University of Otago, Christchurch Medical School, 2 Riccarton Ave | 50 (160) | 12 | 1973 | School | Ministry of Works | Fletcher Construction | Reopened 2013 |
| 18 | Club Tower, 62 Worcester Blvd | 45.2 (148) | 12 | 2010 | Office | Weirwalker Architecture | Hawkins Construction | Reopened 30 May 2011 |
| 19 | Crowne Plaza, cnr Kilmore and Durham Sts | 45 (148) | 12 | 1988 | Hotel | Warren and Mahoney | Fletcher Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 20 | Christchurch Civic Offices (former Postal Centre), 53 Hereford St | 45 (148) | 8 | 1981 | Office | Athfield Architects | Hawkins Construction | Reopened October 2011 |
| 21 | Gallery Apartments, 62 Gloucester St | 43.6 (143) | 12 | 2007 | Residential | Wilson & Hill | Hawkins Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 22 | Anthony Harper House (former AMP Building), 47 Cathedral Sq | 43.1 (141) | 12 | 1975 | Office | Donald Crone & Associates | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 23 | Telecom Building, 31 Cathedral Sq | 42.4 (139) | 12 | 1992 | Office | Griffith Moffat and Partners | Hawkins Construction | Partially reopened |
| 24 | Oxford Apartments, 66 Oxford Tce | 42.4 (139) | 12 | 2005 | Residential | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Repaired |
| 25 | NZI House, 92 Hereford St | 40.9 (134) | 12 | 1986 | Office | Wilson & Hill | Paynter & Hamilton Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 26 | Tower Insurance (former Government Life Building), 69 Cathedral Sq | 40.8 (134) | 10 | 1963 | Office | Collins & Son | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2014 |
| 27 | BNZ Building, 137 Armagh St | 40.6 (133) | 11 | 1985 | Office | Trengrove and Blunt | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2013 |
| 28 | Avalon Apartments, 41 Cambridge Terrace | 40 (130) | 13 | 2003 | Residential | | Naylor Love | Demolished |
| 29 | Oaks iStay Hotel, 187 Cashel St | 40 (130) | 12 | 2006 | Hotel | Warren and Mahoney | Naylor Love Construction | Demolished 2015 |
| 30 | Bridgewater Apartments, 62 Cashel St | 40 (130) | 12 | 1997 | Residential | Warren and Mahoney | Mainzeal Construction | Demolished |
| 31 | West Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue | 40 (130) | 8 | 1965 | University | Ministry of Works | Williamson Construction. | Open |
| 32 | Manchester Courts, 158–160 Manchester Street | 39.6 (130) | 12 | 1906 | Office | Luttrell Brothers | | Demolished 2010/11 |
| 33 | Te Waipounamu House (former Reserve Bank Building), 158 Hereford St | 39.6 (130) | 10 | 1964 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2013 |
| 34 | Farmers Car Park Building, 194 Oxford Terrace | 39.1 (128) | 10 | 1998 | Retail & car parking | Ian Krause | Lund Construction | Demolished 2013 |
| 35 | Craigs Investments (former Langwood House), 90 Armagh St | 38.9 (128) | 10 | 1987 | Office | Sheppard & Rout | Lund Construction | Demolished 2013 |
| 36 | Christchurch Women's Hospital | 38 (125) | 9 | 2005 | Hospital | Ministry of Works | Hawkins Construction | Reopened |
| 37 | Huadu Innovation Hub (Former IRD Building) | 37 (121) | 8 | 2007 | Office | Sumich Architects | C Lund and Son Construction | Repaired |
| 38 | Westminster House, 202 Cashel St | 35.8 (117) | 10 | 1978 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | Williams Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 39 | State Insurance Building, 116 Worcester St | 35.6 (117) | 10 | 1970 | Office | Collins & Son | W. Williamson & Sons | To be repaired |
| 40 | Christchurch Hospital, Riverside Block | 35.5 (116) | 8 | 1973 | Hospital | Ministry of Works | Fletcher Construction | Reopened |
| 41 | 161 Hereford Suites (former Harmony Towers), 161 Hereford St | 35.2 (115) | 10 | 1988 | Hotel | Gabites Porter & Partners | Highcroft Properties | To be repaired |
| 42 | Copthorne Hotel, 335 Durham St | 35 (115) | 11 | 1986 | Hotel | | Williams Construction | Demolished 2011 |
| 43 | SBS House (former Manchester Unity Building), 180 Manchester St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1967 | Office | Peter Beaven | Fletcher Construction | Demolished 2011 |
| 44 | Brannigans Building (former DFC Building), 86 Gloucester St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1987 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | Forbes Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 45 | Copthorne Hotel (former Ramada Inn), 776 Colombo St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1972 | Hotel | Peter Beaven | Fletcher Construction | Demolished 2013 |
| 46 | The Gloucester, 28 Gloucester St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1991 | Residential | Wilkie & Bruce | C. S. Luney Ltd | Open |
| 47 | National Bank, 164 Hereford St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1980 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 48 | National Insurance Building, 217 Gloucester St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1971 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | Wilkins and Davies Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 49 | AMI Insurance, 29–35 Latimer Sq | 35 (115) | 10 | 1972 | Office | Warren and Mahoney | C. S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 50 | Heatherlea Apartment, 10 Ayr St | 35 (115) | 12 | 1987 | Residential | Wilkie & Bruce | Wilkins & Davies Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 51 | Westpark Tower, 56 Cashel St | 35 (115) | 10 | 1987 | Office | Sheppard & Rout | Hanham & Phillip | Demolished 2012 |
| 52 | Terrace on the Park Apartments, 80 Park Terrace | 35 (115) | 10 | 2000 | Residential | Thom Craig | Mainzeal Construction | Demolished 2012 |
| 53 | The Millbrook Apartments, 21–23 Carlton Mill Rd | 35 (115) | 10 | 1965 | Residential | Don Donnithorne | C.S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |
| 54 | The Establishment, 52 Peterborough St | 35 (115) | 11 | 2004 | Residential | Warren and Mahoney | C.S. Luney Ltd | Demolished 2012 |

## Timeline of tallest buildings

This is a list of the history of the tallest buildings in Christchurch, showing those buildings that once held the title of tallest building in chronological order.
| Name | Years as tallest | Height m / feet |
| Manchester Courts | 1906–1967 | 39.6 m (130 ft) |
| BNZ Building | 1967–1973 | 51 m (167 ft) |
| Christchurch Central Police Station | 1973–1974 | 52 m (171 ft) |
| James Hight Building | 1974–1975 | 53 m (174 ft) |
| Rydges Hotel (former Noah's) | 1975–1986 | 54 m (177 ft) |
| Hotel Grand Chancellor | 1986–2010 | 85 m (279 ft) |
| Pacific Tower | 2010–present | 86.5 m (284 ft) |