Construction of Christchurch Central Police Station began in 1973, and it was fully completed by 1974. It served as the main foothold for citywide policing operations and, towering above the area at a height that measures a little over 50 metres (160ft), it was designed to be both an iconic and imposing structure. As one might deduce for themselves, even the colour of the paint was carefully chosen to preserve a respectable and formidable appearance; a mixture of soft beige, charcoal grey, diesel brown and a traditional dark blue were incorporated into the overall design. The structure is a classic example of architecture that is commonly associated with the modern era and the formation of a society based on community, progress, confidence and trust. The 13 story building accommodated over 400 officers on a routine working day and had the capacity to contain a large number of inmates at any one time.
Following the earthquakes in 2011 the Central Police Station experienced some minor damage; although the amount of destruction caused is another cause for controversy. Despite being approved and sanctioned by safety officials, it is rumoured that many officers refused to work inside the building, fearing that it could collapse in the event of any second earthquake or aftershocks. Gradually, in stages, operations were moved to the lower floors, until the entire force was eventually moved to a temporary location costing $20 million; plans to construct a larger and more permanent police headquarters were sanctioned soon after. Following recent discussions, decisions have leaned in favour of demolition and the station is scheduled to be brought down via a controlled implosion rather than traditional deconstruction. Having almost completed thorough searches for asbestos, to remove the potentially lethal contaminant, demolition crews have already begun to lay the charges in key locations throughout the building. The Radio Network House suffered the same fate back in 2012 and the implosion was accomplished without incident.
When a police station suddenly becomes lonely and abandoned a little radar goes off in my head, because a police station is arguably one of the last places you generally ever find yourself in… generally; unless, of course, the idea of visiting a dingy cells and eating clumpy porridge without jam appeals to you. Moreover, if you do happen to find yourself in one, it’s guaranteed that you certainly won’t be permitted a quick visit to the roof either. And who doesn’t want to stand on top of the police station’s roof? On our last trip to Christchurch the Central Police Station was locked up tight, and I only managed to enter a very small section of it. However, this time, owing to the demolition that has begun, opportunity presented itself, and we snapped it up without hesitation. Unsure whether security were inside their booth, or in the side buildings, we cautiously navigated our way across the courtyard (*we ran across it pretending to be invisible), towards a potential opening we had caught sight of through the fence. Undetected and untroubled, we managed to get ourselves inside and quickly hit legs to ascend to the top to grab a photograph or two of Christchurch. For the most part, the building was stripped due to the asbestos clean-up, but we hadn’t expected anything to be in the offices in the first place; we were there for the views initially. We were, however, surprised to find a whole underground network of cells still relatively untouched. Some of the graffiti is… Interesting, to say the least. One day I should perhaps post a ‘jail graff’ report, but for now that will have to wait.
1: The City of Christchurch, New Zealand
2: This is what a Police HQ rooftop looks like...
3: Christchurch and the Hills Beyond
4: Christchurch's High Rise District (most of these are abandoned)
5: The All Seeing Eye
6: The Other Side of Christchurch
7: Radio Frequency Hazard (it's OK, I feel fine)
8: From a Balcony Beneath the Roof
9: Air Conditioning and Others Bits
10: The Team
11: Demolition in Progress
12: Interview/Interrogation Rooms
13: Communal Cell
14: Inside the Communal Cell
15: Part of the Flooded Cell Area
16: Feel Like Your Life is in Pieces? (each cell had one of these painted on the roof)
17: The Luxuries
18: Asbestos-Free Cell
19: One Cell Block Under Demolition
20: Suicide Risk Block
21: Inspection Area ("bend over and spread em' son")
22: The Mugshot Stage
23: The Way In (if you've been arrested)
24: Drop-Off Area for the Vans
25: Asbestos Cleaning Booth?
26: Christchurch Police HQ (inside the main courtyard)
27: Christchurch Police HQ (from the other side of the wall)
Following the earthquakes in 2011 the Central Police Station experienced some minor damage; although the amount of destruction caused is another cause for controversy. Despite being approved and sanctioned by safety officials, it is rumoured that many officers refused to work inside the building, fearing that it could collapse in the event of any second earthquake or aftershocks. Gradually, in stages, operations were moved to the lower floors, until the entire force was eventually moved to a temporary location costing $20 million; plans to construct a larger and more permanent police headquarters were sanctioned soon after. Following recent discussions, decisions have leaned in favour of demolition and the station is scheduled to be brought down via a controlled implosion rather than traditional deconstruction. Having almost completed thorough searches for asbestos, to remove the potentially lethal contaminant, demolition crews have already begun to lay the charges in key locations throughout the building. The Radio Network House suffered the same fate back in 2012 and the implosion was accomplished without incident.
When a police station suddenly becomes lonely and abandoned a little radar goes off in my head, because a police station is arguably one of the last places you generally ever find yourself in… generally; unless, of course, the idea of visiting a dingy cells and eating clumpy porridge without jam appeals to you. Moreover, if you do happen to find yourself in one, it’s guaranteed that you certainly won’t be permitted a quick visit to the roof either. And who doesn’t want to stand on top of the police station’s roof? On our last trip to Christchurch the Central Police Station was locked up tight, and I only managed to enter a very small section of it. However, this time, owing to the demolition that has begun, opportunity presented itself, and we snapped it up without hesitation. Unsure whether security were inside their booth, or in the side buildings, we cautiously navigated our way across the courtyard (*we ran across it pretending to be invisible), towards a potential opening we had caught sight of through the fence. Undetected and untroubled, we managed to get ourselves inside and quickly hit legs to ascend to the top to grab a photograph or two of Christchurch. For the most part, the building was stripped due to the asbestos clean-up, but we hadn’t expected anything to be in the offices in the first place; we were there for the views initially. We were, however, surprised to find a whole underground network of cells still relatively untouched. Some of the graffiti is… Interesting, to say the least. One day I should perhaps post a ‘jail graff’ report, but for now that will have to wait.
1: The City of Christchurch, New Zealand
2: This is what a Police HQ rooftop looks like...
3: Christchurch and the Hills Beyond
4: Christchurch's High Rise District (most of these are abandoned)
5: The All Seeing Eye
6: The Other Side of Christchurch
7: Radio Frequency Hazard (it's OK, I feel fine)
8: From a Balcony Beneath the Roof
9: Air Conditioning and Others Bits
10: The Team
11: Demolition in Progress
12: Interview/Interrogation Rooms
13: Communal Cell
14: Inside the Communal Cell
15: Part of the Flooded Cell Area
16: Feel Like Your Life is in Pieces? (each cell had one of these painted on the roof)
17: The Luxuries
18: Asbestos-Free Cell
19: One Cell Block Under Demolition
20: Suicide Risk Block
21: Inspection Area ("bend over and spread em' son")
22: The Mugshot Stage
23: The Way In (if you've been arrested)
24: Drop-Off Area for the Vans
25: Asbestos Cleaning Booth?
26: Christchurch Police HQ (inside the main courtyard)
27: Christchurch Police HQ (from the other side of the wall)