The Clubhouse

The present clubhouse was built in 1861 to the design of Benjamin Mountford who was the colonial architect responsible for most of the stone Gothic revival buildings, which characterise central Christchurch. The building has been modified, extended, and partly demolished, but the original timber Italianate design of its Worcester Street and Latimer Square frontages have been carefully preserved. The building is protected as a Category 1 class Heritage building by the Christchurch City Council.

The trees on the Latimer Square and Worcester Street frontages were planted in 1861. Four Sycamores and one Oak are now protected Heritage trees. The age of the Holly Hedge is not known but is at least 140 years old.

Traditional Elegance

The Entrance Hall incorporates 43 carved semi-circular timber arches on two floors in
Banks Peninsula Totara, carved paneling with plaster motifs and large skylights.

The Drawing Room is the most cheerful, sunny room in the Clubhouse, facing North and was originally furnished as a room reserved for ladies. It now has many uses as a lounge area for all members.

The Dining Room remains substantially unchanged since it was built in 1862. The six Totara timber arches and seven large arched windows are features of the room. The décor suits more formal lunch and evening uses with seating for up to 70 persons.

The Rhodes Room is adjacent to the main Dining Room, named after John Heaton Rhodes. The room is highly favoured for larger private dinners.

The Buttery and Orangery conservatory were opened in 1987 and 1990. Designed by Sir Miles Warren they are the newest of the dining areas in the Club. Used daily for, lunch and dinner.

The Anteroom, ante meaning ‘before’ in Latin, is where members and guests meet before going into dine. Large arched windows give views of the Club’s East lawn beside Latimer Square and the three pairs of French doors on the opposite side open onto the Courtyard garden, which has become the main entrance to the Club.

The Smoking Room name goes back to early Victorian times when large English houses and Clubs had special rooms in which smoking was permitted.Altough smoking in this room is not permitted today. It is a typical English Club room with deep leather chairs, window seat and octagonal poker table.

The Members' Bar is a picturesque bar rebuilt in 1968 as part of a major demolition and refurbishment. It is dominated by a large oil painting of a naked Cupid after one by Bronzino in the National Gallery. London. Renovated in 2009.

The Tower Room. Traditionally talking business in the Club is not approved. To meet this need, a special room has been furnished upstairs where members and their guests can talk business in private. The tower room is also where in house guests ejoy breakfast.

Accommodation. The seven bedrooms are an example of style and elegance blended to provide traditional comfort and convenience. All have modern facilities including ensuites. See Accommodation page for further information.