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 . 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 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 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 , 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 .
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 , 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 , unless a structure which exceeded this height had previously stood on the site.
In the decade following 2011, only two buildings standing above 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 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 tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
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Rank Name Height Floors YearPurposeArchitectBuilder Notes Refs 1 Pacific Tower, 166 Gloucester St 23 2010 Hotel & Apartments Rob Campbell AMC Construction Reopened 1 May 2013 2 Crowne Plaza Hotel (former Forsyth Barr Building), 764 Colombo St 19 1989 Hotel Warren and Mahoney Paynter Construction Reopened 1 July 2017 as Crowne Plaza Hotel 3 Sheraton Hotel (former Noah's), 170 Oxford Tce 15 1975 Hotel Donald Crone & Associates Fletcher Construction Undergoing repairs. 4 Distinction Hotel (formerly the Millennium Christchurch), 14 Cathedral Sq 14 1974 Hotel Hank Henning Fletcher Construction Reopened 6 March 2018 5 Novotel Hotel, 50 Cathedral Sq 15 2010 Hotel Dalman Architecture Fletcher Construction Reopened 19 August 2013 6 Puaka–James Hight Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave 11 1974 Library & Office Ministry of Works CS Luney Construction Reopened 2013 7=Waipapa Tower 1 & 2, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave102018HospitalChow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc HealthSchick Construction for earthworks and CPD Construction for towerTallest building completed since the earthquakes7=Waipapa Tower 3, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave102026HospitalChow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc HealthNaylor LoveScheduled for completion third quarter 20259One New Zealand Stadium, 218 Madras Stn/a2026StadiumWarren and MahoneyBESIX WatpacOpened 27 March 2026 10 Club Tower, 62 Worcester Blvd 12 2010 Office Weirwalker Architecture Hawkins Construction Reopened 30 May 2011 11= Christchurch Civic Offices (former Post Centre), 53 Hereford St 8 1981 Office Athfield Architects Hawkins Construction Reopened October 201111= University of Otago, Christchurch Medical School, 2 Riccarton Ave 12 1973 School Ministry of Works Fletcher Construction Reopened 2013 11= Oxford Apartments, 66 Oxford Tce 12 2005 Residential Warren and Mahoney C. S. Luney Ltd Repaired 14Huadu Innovation Hub (Former IRD Building)82007OfficeSumich Architects C Lund and Son ConstructionRepaired 15 Telecom Building, 31 Cathedral Sq 12 1992 Office Griffith Moffat and Partners Hawkins Construction Partially reopened16=Wai-Ora, Otago University Building, 20 Oxford Tce40 (130)62026UniversityWarren and MahoneyLeighs ConstructionUnder Construction16=West Building, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue81965UniversityMinistry of WorksWilliamson Construction.Open16= 161 Hereford Suites (former Harmony Towers), 161 Hereford St 10 1988 Hotel Gabites Porter & Partners Highcroft Properties To be repaired19Christchurch Women's Hospital92005HospitalChow Hill Architects LtdHawkins ConstructionReopened 20= State Insurance Building, 116 Worcester St 10 1970 Office Collins & Son W. Williamson & Sons To be repaired 20= The Gloucester, 28 Gloucester St 10 1991 Residential Wilkie & Bruce C. S. Luney Ltd Open22Christchurch Hospital, Riverside Block81974HospitalMinistry of WorksFletcher ConstructionReopened Under construction This lists ranks under-construction Christchurch high-rises to stand at least tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
NameHeight m (feet)FloorsYearPurposeArchitectNotesRefs56 Worcester St?142028Hotel and officeMAP ArchitectsScheduled for completion 2028https://artio.co.nz/ Waipapa Tower 3, Christchurch Hospital, 2 Riccarton Ave102026HospitalChow:Hill, Warren and Mahoney, Thinc HealthScheduled for completion third quarter 202538 Oxford Terrace?82027Student accommodationSheppard and Rout Architects Scheduled for completion in 2027Otago University Building, 20 Oxford Tce62026Medical schoolWarren and MahoneyScheduled for completion 2026
Tallest buildings before the February 2011 earthquake This list ranks Christchurch high-rises that stand/stood at least tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts.
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