Bishopscourt, Park Terrace, Christchurch
Bishopscourt, Park Terrace, Christchurch
[1927]
Designed by Cecil Wood (1878-1947), this building replaced the earlier Bishops' residence which had been destroyed by fire in 1924. "Bishopscourt: an imposing residence. In chastity of design and imposing exterior, the new Bishopscourt is unsurpassed by any residence in Christchurch. It will be finished in about three weeks, and Bishop West-Watson is expected to occupy it this month. Built in the Georgian style, the house is of brick, with cement facing, and the verandahs are of concrete. A car shelter attached to the rear of the residence, built of the same material, is a striking part of the edifice. Except for the blue and grey slates of the roof, and the green-painted shutters, no colours have been used. There are 22 rooms in the house, which has two main storeys and several rooms in the roof. The interior decoration is very elaborate and it is plastered throughout. Maple has been used for the moulded panelling of the study, and the morning-room has been panelled in oak. Black pine will be used in the chapel. The tall chimneys and the square courtyard, enclosed by a massive stone wall, with pillars at intervals, are ... in Georgian style. Over the car shelter is the Bishop's coat-of-arms. Cement vases, pillars, and dormer windows give the residence a beautiful appearance. A broad flagstone terrace of Halswell materials faces the north-west, and the six dormer windows over the main entrance are placed symmetrically, with two tall chimneys... The entrances are French casement doors and round all the circular doors and windows are old-fashioned rope mouldings. The chapel has a circular, covered ceiling. Gravel paths are being laid, and asphalt tennis courts occupy a corner of the grounds ....Messrs P. Graham & Son are the contractors for the building." -- The Press, 2 June 1927, p. 4
File Reference CCL PhotoCD 5, IMG0089
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