The Government Building in Christchurch was purchased by the Christchurch City Council in 1992, to avoid possible demolition. After a period in which no developers could be found, the building is to be strengthened and refurbished for use primarily as apartments. The strengthening scheme adopted involves demolition of two areas of the building which are otherwise difficult to use, and replacement with new reinforced concrete shear wall structures. This has resulted in more useable space, and has allowed strengthening to full code loads. Work will be completed in late 1996.