In 1925 James Jamieson, a wealthy local building contractor, pledged to leave his art collection to Christchurch City on the condition that a new premises were built to house it.

The Christchurch City Council held a referendum to gauge public support for taking out a loan to pay for the new gallery.

Building of the new gallery commenced in November 1930 and by April 1932 it was near completion when funds ran low.

Robert McDougall supplemented his original gift enabling the completion of the gallery at a total cost of £31,000.

[5][6] The single story gallery has a large central hall, with scagliola columns and marble floors.