Completed in 1930, the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College was designed in Gothic Revival style by George Penlington, the Canterbury Education Board Architect.

The unstable ground, with a high peat content, caused the building to settle and crack within a year of construction.

[1] The training college had a close connection to the nearby Christchurch Normal School, later known as Cranmer Court.

[2] Stewart Ross was the architect responsible for converting the school into the current Peterborough apartments,[1] while Robert Douglas Brown was the developer.

Much damage was caused by the underground car park floating upwards due to liquefaction of the ground.