The Christchurch City Council may help pay for work to save the historic McKenzie & Willis facade in Tuam St.

About $1 million has been spent on trying to stabilise the distinctive facade, but another $520,000 is needed to complete the work.

The council is considering contributing $240,000 towards the cost through a one-off heritage grant.

The grant would be contingent on a covenant being applied to the facade that would ensure its continued protection.

The three-storey facade was designed by England Brothers Architects for A J Whites and dates back to 1911.

The bulk of the building behind the facade had to be demolished after the February 2011 earthquake and parts of the facade were dislodged.

The facade is now being partly supported by a temporary steel frame erected along Tuam and High streets, but work on attaching the frame to the facade has not yet been finished.

The building owner, McKenzie & Willis, wants to finish work on connecting the frame so it can stabilise the facade until a new building can be constructed behind it, but it needs more money and has approached the council for financial assistance.

A report prepared for Tuesday's community, recreation and culture committee recommends the council contribute 40 per cent of the money needed to complete the stabilisation work.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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