The former Midland Club Building (also known as Caffe Roma building)[1] is a heritage-listed building located in Central Christchurch, New Zealand. The building once house the Midland Club, which ceased in 1991, after which, the building was sold. It housed Caffe Roma until the 2011 Canterbury earthquake caused significant damage.[2] It was later restored, and strengthened in 2018. It is one of the few remaining multi-storey brick heritage buildings left in the city, post-earthquake.[3]
History
Caffe Roma, with collapsed parapets, following the 2011 Canterbury earthquake
The building was built in 1934, in the renaissance palazzo style, by Christchurch architect firm, Collins and West.[2] Upon the building's completion, the Midland Club (a gentleman's club), moved into the premises from their outgrown site on Worcester Street. The Midland Club operated until 1991, when the disbanded and sold the building. From then, until the 2011 Canterbury earthquake, it housed Caffe Roma, a popular café, a hair salon, offices and an apartment on the top floor.[1]
Earthquake damage
The Midland Building, following completed renovations, April 2019
The building suffered from damage during the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, with the loss of the chimneys and partial loss of its parapet, both collapsing during the 2011 earthquake. As a result, the remaining parapets were taken down.[4] The building was later abandoned and became a target for squatters and vandals, however, their behaviour did not damage any of the building's heritage features.[1]
Renovation
In 2015, the building was purchased by Club Lane Ltd., who are owned by company Box 112 for NZ$1.35m.[5] Box 112 also purchased, restored and renovated other heritage buildings in Christchurch, including the Public Trust Office Building.[6] The owners of Club Lane Ltd., brothers Sean and Rob Farrell also completed renovations to the Isaac Theatre Royal, through their construction company.[1] After the previous owner, Alberto Ceccarelli received engineering reports stating that the building could not be economically saved, restoration went ahead, with Club Lane Ltd. receiving a NZ$869,500 heritage grant from the Christchurch City Council.[5]
After completing emergency weatherproofing to prevent further deterioration, the building was renovated and strengthened to 100% of the New Zealand building code.[7] Lost features from the earthquake, such as the parapets, were replaced with a lightweight form.[5] The building now has a steel core, a steel framed roof, steel tensioning rods in the bricks, and concrete and plywood bracing the original timber floors. The building still contains its original light fittings and caged lift. The stained-glass windows were restored and repaired, the radiators were fixed, and the open fireplaces are among the few allowed to be lit in the central city.[6]
The building was reopened in 2018, with new tenants including hospitality, a clothing store, and a philanthropy company.[6] As a result of the restoration work carried out by architect firm, ThreeSixty Architecture, the building received a highly commended award at the 2018 Canterbury Heritage Awards.[3]
