Plan to replace Antonio Hall with student housing
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Derelict Christchurch mansion Antonio Hall looks likely to be demolished and replaced with student accommodation as the city struggles to house its student population.
Last week the city council removed its heritage protection over the vacant Riccarton Rd building, which was badly damaged in the earthquakes and the scene of three fires in the years since.
The decision was in line with recommendations from the council’s independent hearings panel set up to consider changes to the council’s district plan.
Antonio Hall, also known as Antonio House, was built early in the 20th century.
For over 30 years it has been in the hands of Wellstar Co, a company owned by the overseas-based Chiu family. The large brick building is on a 1.5-hectare property.
On behalf of Wellstar, Mainland Capital said in a submission to the hearings panel that repairs would would cost many times that of demolishing and building something new.
Mainland Capital director Ben Bridge told The Press the property’s size and location make it the best site for new student housing.
Along with Wellstar, Mainland Capital is planning to develop 120 student homes housing 300 to 400 students in total.
The project would create a new model of student housing for Christchurch. The complex is intended to cater for international students and those in at least their second year of study.
The homes would be owned by individual landlords, while facilities for recreation, laundry, and rubbish collection would be communal, and the whole place professionally managed, Bridge said.
The property is less than 1km from Canterbury University.
Accommodation for students both in residential halls and private flats has been in short supply, alongside strong roll growth in the past few years at Canterbury and Lincoln Universities and Ara Institute.
“We won’t be a one-site solution, but the accommodation challenge needs to be addressed,” Bridge said.
“When you’ve got 50 students lining up for a flat letting in Yaldhurst you know there’s a problem.”
He said they are still at the feasibility stage, and details of who will be involved as an investment or development partner are yet to be decided.
“Depending on where it goes with the current owners, the capital structure is yet to be determined. We could bring in new partners.”
He did not want to comment on the financial size of the project or projected time frame, but expects construction would take two years.
Bridge said tertiary growth is a key component of Christchurch’s economic growth, and that momentum could be at risk if the city cannot house all the students who want to come. They would also like to build student housing in the central city, he said.
Mainland Capital is a fund manager that puts investors together to create private equity property funds for individual projects.
Along with property developer Russell Property Group, Mainland Capital is behind the redevelopment of the former Noahs hotel, which will reopen as Sheraton Christchurch.
Antonio Hall was built between 1904 and 1909 as a private home for a seed merchant who named it Baronscourt.
The Riccarton Rd property originally had 279 rooms and was once described as “one of the finest” buildings in the city.
The property has provided student accommodation before. After being used by the Catholic Church as the Holy Name Seminary from the 1940s to the 1980s, it operated as student hostel Campion Hall.
It was then named Antonio Hall after being sold as a boarding house and reception venue, before being sold to Wellstar in 1993.
The property has been unoccupied, except for a growing cat population, since the 2011 earthquakes.
The Chiu family also own the former saleyards on Deans Ave through their company Neowell Investments. They are selling part of the saleyards site to housing developer Growcott Freer for a 100-home townhouse development.