Latimer Square is an urban park in central Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located east of the city's centre, Cathedral Square. Many commemorative events take place in Latimer Square. The square lies between the major urban thoroughfares of Gloucester Street and Worcester Street. Madras Street runs north and south to Latimer Square. The square (actually a rectangle) is grassed and crossed by concrete paths and edged by mature trees. It covers an area of a little over .
History
Like its near neighbour Cranmer Square, Latimer Square was named for an early protestant martyr, Bishop Hugh Latimer. Latimer Square was part of the original design of Christchurch when it was surveyed between 1849 and 1850 by Edward Jollie.
Latimer Square was used for horse racing, sports events and the Agricultural and Pastoral (A & P) Show until the 1880s. Worcester Street was extended through Latimer Square in 1885 to allow the tram line to reach the centre of town. A band rotunda was built at this time and then removed in 1894.
The Prince of Wales attended a civic reception in Latimer Square in 1920. Air raid trenches were dug in Latimer Square during World War 2. The square was again closed off to Worcester Street in 2006. Latimer Square became a well known spot for prostitutes to walk the streets in pre-earthquake Christchurch.
The buildings around Latimer Square were badly damaged during the Canterbury quakes of 2010 to 2011 and Latimer Square was used to triage the injured after the earthquake of 22 February 2011. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Latimer Square in April 2014 to help promote the 2015 Cricket World Cup. A sculpture, commemorating the loss of ChristChurch Cathedral in the 2011 earthquake was installed by its artist, Neil Dawson, in the square in 2014.
Notable buildings
Many of the buildings which surrounded Latimer Square were either destroyed during, or demolished in the aftermath of, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, among them .
Christchurch Transitional Cathedral
Since the earthquake, the square has been the site of the city's temporary Anglican Cathedral also known as the Cardboard Cathedral.
St John the Baptist Church
One of Christchurch's first stone churches, St John the Baptist Anglican church, was built south of the square in 1864. The architect was Maxwell Bury. The stone church had an octagonal tower. It had a congregation of 450 just prior to the earthquakes in 2010.
Fletcher Building housing developments
With many of the buildings surrounding Latimer Square demolished, Fletcher Building won the tender to master plan and build housing in the area. With development continuing, initial sales have been reported to be slow in the media.
Christchurch Club
The Christchurch Club's buildings, with repairs completed after the earthquake, are also located on Latimer Square. It is a category 1 historic place built in between 1861 and 1862.
Occidental Hotel
The Occidental Hotel (208 Hereford Street) was built in 1861. It was designed by Samuel Coleridge Farr. It was originally known as Collins' Family Hotel and Boarding House. In 1889, it became known as the Occidental. In 1982 the hotel was renovated. Sheppard and Rout (Architects) designed the refurbishment which included a lounge bar and restaurant. Flappers, a bar with a 1930s theme which opened in October 1985. In 1996, Flappers became the Bull Bar. In 1998 it was turned into a backpackers hotel. It became progressively run down and closed down in August 2006. It was demolished in 2011 after sustaining earthquake damage. The Occidental was registered as a Category II historic place (#1913)