Linwood House - Christchurch - New Zealand

End Of An Era

We are sorry to report that Linwood House with all its history and links to early European settlement of Christchurch, not to mention home to literally hundreds of people over the years has been irreparably damaged in the Feb 22 earthquake. After the Sept earthquake it was quite damaged but we had hopes that it could have been repaired. Although the front was damaged the back wing to the south was in reasonably good condition and Dave and Darryl were happy to continue living there. When Darryl moved out to go overseas Rajeev arrived back and took his room. Then Mindy arrived back in Christchurch and took the last room available in that wing. We are so thankful that all 3 of them were out at 12.55pm when the latest earthquake hit. Although we are of course really sad that the house is unable to be saved we are aware that there is a greater tragedy than the loss of buildings and that there are many people that have lost their lives in our city this week. It is early days yet but maybe we can build something to replace Linwood House that can incorporate features to reflect the heritage we have lost. (Paddy is already having expensive ideas!)

As well - my cousin’s wife, Renata took over the former upstairs lounge to use as her art studio after Sept. 4th. We are thankful that all 4 of them were out of the house ....

Thank you to all the people who have lived in Linwood House over the time we have owned it – you became part of our life.

Jackie Snowdon

Linwood House was designed by the architect Charles Edward Fooks and completed in 1857. The property belonged to Joseph Brittan who named his house and farm after Linwood in Hampshire, England.

Linwood House is located in what is now Linwood Avenue, close to Avonside Drive. It has been owned by Paddy and Jackie Snowdon since 1988 and has until recently served as a boarding house.

In the 7.1 earthquake at 4:35 am of September 4, 2010 the house suffered structural damage. In the days immediately following Paddy and Jackie (who own The Pump House and City Salvage Contractors) temporarily braced the building by tying bracing through the windows into the middle of the house. (See photos below). In the following weeks exterior bracing was added to support the building.

Further movement of the walls occurred in the Boxing Day aftershocks, but otherwise the building is faring well in the months of aftershocks.

Bracing the building after the September 4 earthquake: