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Heritage grant approved for iconic Lyttelton lodge

Laura Grigg
Kilwinning Lodge
Kilwinning Lodge  Laura Grigg

Kilwinning Lodge, originally a Masonic Lodge, sits in the heart of Lyttelton on Canterbury Street but was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake.

However, since the earthquakes, it has remained empty and unused. Last month the building received a heritage grant from the Social, Community Development and Housing Committee in Christchurch.

The fund will go towards 21 per cent of the total restoration cost of the building, to help with the repairing and strengthening. It will also ensure the heritage features will be protected. 

Christchurch City Deputy Mayor, Andrew Turner, says we lost a huge amount of history in the earthquakes, and only a few historic buildings are left.

"I'm delighted to see this fund go into this iconic building in Lyttelton," Andrew says

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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He says the new owners, a structural engineering company, are planning to use the upstairs for offices and downstairs for hospitality or retail space.

"The building is a place maker and a significant feature in Lyttelton and will be enjoyed by the wider community," Andrew says.

A local business owner, Deborah Clark of London Street Books, says it will be good if there's retail down the bottom of the building.

"A bar or something commercial that will add to the town as we have lost so many buildings, would be really great", Clark says. 

Lyttelton Local's thoughts on the Kilwinning Lodge

Lyttelton Local's thoughts on the Kilwinning Lodge