The front of a precious Christchurch Edwardian building has been saved from the wrecker's ball.
Fletcher Building is giving $1 million to preserve the McKenzie and Willis building facade as part of its $6 million pledge to the region's earthquake recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Work is yet to start and shipping containers are securing the site.
The three-storey Edwardian-style building on the corner of High St and Tuam St was severely hit by February and June quakes and assessments deemed it unsafe, although engineers recommended the facade be saved because of its significant heritage value.
The building is at 179 High St, its facade is listed by the Historic Places Trust as category two and it joins the Excelsior Hotel, Victoria Black and Alice in Videoland (the old Post Office) on the list of buildings in the High St area to be kept.
