Council to consider $1.9m grant for historic mansion

Christchurch City Council will consider giving a grant of more than $1.9 million to the proposed buyers of McLean's Mansion so they can give the ornate 116-year-old building a new lease of life.

McLean's Mansion has been under threat of demolition since the earthquakes, but now a newly formed charitable trust is looking to buy the historic building and turn it into an art gallery.

McLean's Mansion was built in 1900.

The trust has been set up by businessman, engineer and heritage building owner Trevor Lord, who has enlisted acclaimed artist Philip Trusttum, curator and art critic Warren Feeney, and leading architect David Sheppard as fellow trustees.

The trust, which also has the support of New Zealand’s biggest private art collector Sir James Wallace, is working to raise the funds needed to repair the earthquake damage to the building and renovate it so it can function as an art gallery.

At its meeting on Thursday, December 8, the Council will consider a report which recommends it approve a Central City Landmark Heritage Grant of $1.934 million for the ornate Manchester St building.

The grant, if approved, would be subject to repair and restoration work being done and a full conservation covenant being placed on the building and its grounds.

McLean's Mansion was designed by the England Brothers and built from kauri in 1900 for wealthy Scotsman Allan McLean. It has 53 rooms and was reputed to be the largest timber framed residence in New Zealand at the time of its construction.

Designed in the Jacobean Revival style, the building is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a category one historic building - the highest possible ranking.

Over the years the ornate Manchester St building has been used as a dental school and as a music academy. It has sat empty since the earthquakes. The owners of the building are seeking to sell it in its current damaged state, with no insurance payment.