The historic Mona Vale homestead is set to re-open after a $2.8 million restoration project.
The restoration has been delivered on time and on budget, Christchurch City Council heritage rebuild manager Richie Moyle says, after significant damage was caused by the February 2011 earthquake.
But it's been a challenge, Mr Moyle says
"Every brick here was cut specifically to fit, so every external facing brick that could be reused has been individually numbered and placed on a pallet as we deconstructed each section.
"In some parts we've had to rebuild it by interpretation because there was just nothing left.
"Substantial parts of the masonry and heritage fabric [have been] carefully deconstructed and reconstructed," Mr Moyle says.
The building was originally built in 1897 for Fredrick Waymouth. In 1905, heiress Annie Townend bought the property and renamed it Mona Vale after her mother's birthplace in Tasmania.
The homestead is a major tourist attraction set in a serene garden and was passed into public ownership in the 1960s.
In terms of its heritage, the homestead is set to be exactly as residents remember, but the venue will be "amazing", Mr Moyle says.
New carpets, curtains, and furnishings had been chosen for the fit-out in consultation with heritage experts. The building will reach 67 percent of New Building Standard.
"It will be a great place to come for your coffee again and it is wonderful for the city to have another of our tourist assets back in action," he says.
The homestead will be handed back to the tenant, Continental Catering, in July and they are already taking wedding bookings for summer.
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