Few buildings say ‘Christchurch’ like the Gothic Revival Arts Centre. The iconic collection of heritage buildings occupy a city block and are a unique part of the cultural and architectural heritage of the city. If there are any benefits resulting from the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, one might be that the subsequent repairs to the Arts Centre created an opportunity to reassess the relationship of the buildings and their urban context. In the many years of sensitive restoration, new life has been breathed into the 100-plus-year-old structure. The street facade has been reactivated, accessible doors and lifts make the buildings available to more of the public, and a new programme of spaces – including boutique movie theatres, co-working spaces and apartments – mean that it’s also now possible to engage with this wonderful asset on many levels. With its post-earthquake restoration now past the half-way mark, it is uplifting to see the Arts Centre once again occupy a central place in Christchurch’s cultural landscape.