Draft:Edmonds Band Rotunda
| Edmonds Band Rotunda | |
|---|---|
 Edmonds Band Rotunda in 2007 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | High Renaissance |
| Location | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°31′41″S 172°38′20″E / 43.528°S 172.639°E |
| Opened | 11 November 1929 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Victor Robert John Hean |
Listening to bass brands was a common form of entertainment, and was subsidised by the city councill. Thomas Edmonds was an enjoyer of music. The council accepted Edmonds's offer in April 1929, and by May, the contract to build it had been given to builder Neil McGillivray.[1]
Category 2 historic place listed with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust[2]
History
[edit]Edmonds created the rotunda to mark celebrate 50 years of living in Christchurch, and as part of his River Bank Improvement Scheme. Located in Cambridge Terrace and overlooks the Avon River, near the Manchester Street Bridge.[3]
The foundation stone was unveiled on 26 September 1929, after the construction of the rotunda had started.[3] Unveiled by Thomas Edmonds, on the same day that he had unveiled the foundation stones for the Repertory Theatre and the Edmonds' Clock Tower. The rotunda was formally opened on 11 November 1929, where the wife of Edmonds cut a ribbon and nine bands played.[1]
Built in 1929 as a gift from Thomas Edmonds, creator of Edmonds baking powder and the Edmonds Cookery Book.[4]
Due to the public's interest in listening to band concerts declining, the rotunda gradually become unused.[3] So in 1986 it was changed into a restaurant. The character of it remained the same, with windows being added between the striped awnings as well as striped awnings added to keep the sun out, and the basement was converted into a kitchen and had bathrooms added. It was named the Thomas Edmonds Restaurant. It opened on 1 March 1987 and its opening was attended by two of Edmond's daughters.[4][3]
Earthquakes
[edit]After its supporting structures were damaged in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, the rotunda was deconstructed[when?], and the dome was kept on the ground nearby.[4][5]
Added to demolition list in March 2012 because it was considered dangerous.[2] This was finished by September, with the dome and other parts of it being saved.[6] 2015 report that people would steal bits of the copper roof off the dome.[7]
City council approved rebuild in September 2016, with a projection of it being started in early 2017. The council did not want the restored rotunda to have the basement[8]
Communities Housing and Economic Development Committee did not want the basement before the restoration was approved. Gerald Edmonds, the great-great-grandson of Thomas Edmonds, said that as Thomas Edmonds wanted the rotunda to be used for music, he would have not wanted it to be used as a restaurant.[9]
In September 2016 the Christchurch City Council decided that it would spend $1.5 million on rebuilding the rotunda and retaining walls. This was originally planned to start in early 2017, but was delayed in May 2017 to 2018.[4]
This source says $1.3 million?[9]
In February 2019 the city council said that work was planned to start in September 2019.[10] Restoration started in March 2020.[11][5]
Council said the delays wwere due to "budgetary reasons"[5]
April 2021 report: "set to finish by the end of this month"[12]
The dome was placed on the rotunda in November 2020.[12][13] Due to the dome's weight, a crane had to be taken from the North Island.[13]
In February 2021 the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust donated $1 million of the $1.5 needed for the restoration.[12][5]
Roll-up panel screens were added in the restoration, to protect the interior from the weather. Landscaping changes were also made in the restoration.[14]
Restoration on the rotunda itself finished in July 2021, with the area still fenced off as there was morelanscaping work to do. That landscaping work was finished in August 2021[5]
Not a restaurant anymore. City council said it was now a place for performances, wedding photos and a place for people to sit. It was reported in August that the official opening will happen in October 2021.[5]
In July 2019 the city council allocated $1.6 million for the rebuild.[15]
Design
[edit]The rotunda has an octagonal shape, with a height of 12 metres (39 ft) and a diameter of 10.2 metres (33 ft). Each corner of the octagon has a 4.8-metre-tall pillars, which all hold up the dome. The dome is made of timber and is sheathed in copper, which gives a green appearance.[1] The dome has a weight of over 80 tonnes.[12]
The rotunda was designed by Victor Robert John Hean, in a High Renaissance style.[1]
There is a semi-circle seat to the east of the rotunda. To the west is shelter made of reinforced concrete, originally used to hold the equipment of the band.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Hurrell, Mei (1993). The legacy of Thomas Edmonds (PDF). Christchurch. Environmental Policy & Planning Unit. Christchurch, N.Z.: Christchurch City Council, Environmental Policy & Planning Unit. pp. 15–18. ISBN 0-9597973-1-9. OCLC 39746008.
- ^ a b "Band rotunda joins demolition list". The Press. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Thomas Edmonds' band rotunda". Canterbury Stories. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Christchurch's $1.5 million heritage Edmonds Band Rotunda rebuild delayed until 2018". The Press. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Edmonds band rotunda is finally open following an 'incredible' rebuild". The Press. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Dome saved from destruction". The Press. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Quake-stricken Band Rotunda target of thieves". The Press. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "$1.3m Edmonds band rotunda rebuild to go ahead". The Press. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Music to ring out from Christchurch's band rotunda once again". The Press. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Stage set for return of Christchurch's Thomas Edmonds Band Rotunda". Christchurch City Council. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "$1.5m restoration of quake-damaged historic building starts". Otago Daily Times. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Restoration of quake-damaged band rotunda nearly complete". Otago Daily Times. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Thomas Edmonds Band Rotunda dome put back in its place". The New Zealand Herald. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Thomas Edmonds Band Rotunda: Restoration of historic riverside landmark finished". Otago Daily Times. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Historic Edmonds Band Rotunda's $1.5 million rebuild confirmed". The Press. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
External links
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