On 17 July 1964 the Government Life Building opened in Cathedral Square. One of my favourite photos in our entire collection is this one of its construction -Workers on top of Government Life. For me, it is the Ōtautahi version of the famous Lunch atop a Skyscraper (New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam).
![The Post Office tower is dwarfed in this view, taken from the top of the Government Life Insurance building in the Square. [Mar. 1963] CCL PhotoCD 11, IMG0059](https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/heritage/photos/disc11/IMG0059.jpg "View this photo")
The Post Office tower is dwarfed in this view, taken from the top of the Government Life Insurance building in the Square. [Mar. 1963] CCL PhotoCD 11, IMG0059
That iconic clock has been a landmark of the central city - when it was turned off lots of us missed looking up to see the time (and the temperature).
Government Life Building showing clock 12:45 4 July 1963 CCCPlans Government-Life-11-2
In the 1965 photo above, you can see it is 1:52pm.
Post earthquakes, Mike Hewson's artwork Government Life Suspension reflected the building back for us.
Government life art by Mike Hewson. Tuesday 22 January 2013. Flickr: CCL-2013-01-22-IMG_2308
The Government Life building was demolished in 2014.
Government Life building. Wednesday 18 June 2014. Flickr: 2014-06-17-IMG_0287
Government Life demolition. Thursday 16 October 2014. Flickr 2014-10-16-IMG_2635
See more:
- Government Life Building First Floor Plan, 21 November 1960
- Government Life Building East & South Elevation, 21 November 1960
- Our Government Life images on Flickr.
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