After two and a-half years, part of Christchurch's Arts Centre is to reopen.
From 1-3pm on Sunday, people can go into the two-storey Registry building on the corner of Montreal St and Worcester Boulevard in the city.
The Registry building's northern wall collapsed and the walls and floors had to be re-joined after the 2010-2011 earthquakes.
Built in 1916, the building is the first of the 22 earthquake-damaged buildings in the Arts Centre to be restored.
Arts Centre chief executive André Lovatt said the completion of the restoration was a significant milestone and a confidence boost.
"The open day is an opportunity for everyone to walk through the building and experience first hand a tangible part of our vision for the future of the Arts Centre. The building has been restrengthened and we have added a few modern touches inside," he said.
For more than a century, the Arts Centre site was home to Canterbury College and then the University of Canterbury.
The Registry building was used by the chancellor and vice chancellor.
The $290 million restoration programme of the remaining 21 damaged buildings is expected to be completed over the next seven years.
- Samantha McPherson of The Star
