Sign of the Takahe

It is currently leased from Christchurch City Council and run as a cafe, bar, and wedding and function venue.

[1][2] Construction began on the building in 1918, spearheaded by Christchurch City councillor and New Zealand Member of Parliament, Henry George (Harry) Ell.

[2] The Christchurch City Council bought the building in 1942 and it was finally completed in 1948,[3] opening to the public in 1949.

For example, the stone was quarried locally and hand chiseled into blocks using primitive tools, the heavy Kauri beams in the entrance hall were salvaged from a former bridge over the Hurunui River.

The building's dining room fireplace is an exact replica of the historic Haddon Hall in Derbyshire.