The Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings was first proposed in 1854. Benjamin W. Mountford, Architect, was commissioned to design the building and in 1857 the contract to build was let to Frederick Jenkins. The Foundation stone was laid on 6th January 1858 by W.S Moorhouse, the provinces second Superintendent and the council moved in in September 1859, to the first completed portion. The second section of buildings was completed in 1861, facing Armagh St. After a period of growth Mountford produced new plans, in March 1864, for the new stone chamber which was opened on 21st November 1865. The stone chamber was constructed from a variety of stone, basalt, trachyte mainly, from Hoonhay, also freestone from Governors Bay and limestone from Weka Pass. With native timbers of kauri and rimu being used.
With the ongoing process of restoration and upkeep of the buildings, the Belgian Beer Cafe has been introduced from 3rd June 2004. This keeps the historical nature of the building theme, with the main brew of Belgium, Stella Artois, being traced back to the brewery of Den Hoorn 1366, which was purchased by Sebastian Artois, master brewer in 1717. Belgium is famous for its gastronomy and since the time of the Flemish Monks, who are credited with inventing beer, food and beer have been combined together to today to bring you Christchurch’s first Belgian Beer Cafe.
