{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{coord|43|34|53.6|S|172|38|7.2|E|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=title}} thumb|The Sign of the Takahe thumb|Earthquake damaged Sign of the Takahe in 2013 viewed from south thumb|Plaque at the Sign of the Takahe
'''The Sign of the Takahe''' is a neo-Gothic style historic building in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is currently leased from Christchurch City Council and run as wedding and function venue.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heritage buildings|url=https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/heritage/heritage-in-the-city/heritage-buildings/|access-date=2021-07-24|website=ccc.govt.nz|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Sign of the Takahe|url=http://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/sign-takahe|access-date=2021-07-24|website=canterburystories.nz|language=en}}</ref>
== History == Construction began on the building in 1918, spearheaded by Christchurch City councillor and New Zealand Member of Parliament, Henry George (Harry) Ell. Ell envisioned the building as the Gateway into the Port Hills and the Summit Road, one of four planned rest houses in the area for those walking the reserves of Port Hills<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=New lease of life for Sign of Takahe|url=https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/new-lease-of-life-for-sign-of-takahe|access-date=2021-07-24|website=newsline.ccc.govt.nz|language=en-GB}}</ref> that overlook Christchurch and Lyttelton harbour. The other rest houses are Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird, and Sign of the Packhorse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sign of the Kiwi|url=http://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/sign-kiwi|access-date=2021-07-24|website=canterburystories.nz|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sign of the Bellbird|url=http://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/sign-bellbird|access-date=2021-07-24|website=canterburystories.nz|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sign of the Packhorse|url=http://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/sign-packhorse|access-date=2021-07-24|website=canterburystories.nz|language=en}}</ref>
While part of the building opened to the public as the Tram Terminus Rest House in 1920, which featured a tram terminus and tearoom,<ref name=":0" /> it would take decades for construction of the Sign of the Takahe to be completed.
Ell died suddenly in June 1934, having never seen the building fully completed. Construction of the building continued under the direction of architect J. G. Collins.<ref name=":0" /> The Christchurch City Council bought the building in 1942 and it was finally completed in 1948,<ref name=":1" /> opening to the public in 1949.<ref>{{cite book|title=Christchurch Changing: An Illustrated History|first=Geoffrey|last=Rice|author-link=Geoffrey Rice|publisher=Canterbury University Press|date=1999|page=119|location=Christchurch|isbn=9780908812530}}</ref>
Like many structures in the area, the building was damaged in the February 2011 Canterbury earthquake. A NZ$2.8 million council restoration was completed prior to the building's centennial in May 2017.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} It reopened in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-27|title=Sign of the Takahe to reopen as a 'friendly and welcoming' cafe and bar|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/113821702/sign-of-the-takahe-to-reopen-as-a-friendly-and-welcoming-cafe-and-bar|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>
== Notable features == The building is named after the endemic New Zealand flightless bird, the Takahē.
During the Great Depression, a great deal of improvisation was required to minimise cost. 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 ceilings in the inner-most dining room were painted on timber cut from packing cases.
The building's dining room fireplace is an exact replica of the historic Haddon Hall in Derbyshire.<ref name=":0" />
The building has a Category I listing with Heritage New Zealand.<ref>{{NZHPT|275||2010-03-09}}</ref> It is located adjacent to Cracroft Reserve.
==See also== * Sign of the Kiwi * Sign of the Bellbird
==References== {{reflist}} * Harry Ell and His Summit Road : a Biography of Henry George Ell by Lenore Oakley, published by Caxton Press 1960 * [https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360701734/wedding-interrupted-civil-defence-emergency-alert-test Wedding interrupted by Civil Defence emergency alert test]" Stuff
{{Christchurch City Council}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Christchurch Category:Tourist attractions in Christchurch Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in the Canterbury Region Category:1940s architecture in New Zealand Category:Gothic Revival architecture in New Zealand Category:Cafés in New Zealand