An historic roadhouse set high in the Port Hills overlooking the city of Christchurch has been given a new lease of life by its current owners.

The Sign of the Takahe has a rich and colourful history, the latest milestone being its relaunch as an integrated bar, restaurant, café and functions venue. After undergoing major refurbishment, the beautiful hilltop castle in Cashmere now boasts a new look, a range of dining options and prices and a chef who's passionate about using the finest local produce.

Owners Pawan and Delia Kalia are excited to combine heritage with contemporary tastes and trends. They want the Sign of the Takahe to be a living reminder of New Zealand's past and hope to encourage locals and visitors to come and experience it for themselves.

Upstairs, the sumptuous and elegant rooms are now known as the Sign of the Takahe Signature Restaurant while the ground floor has been redeveloped into Soh Bar and Café, a more casual café, bar and bistro.

New executive chef Derek Allomes and his multinational culinary team have created superb new menus for the different dining areas. Their skills combine seamlessly to give the best of New Zealand ingredients a truly world class flavour.

A building steeped in controversy and difficulty
Named after the flightless native New Zealand bird, the Takahe, the Sign of the Takahe is one of four roadhouses built on the initiative of politician and conservationist Henry George (Harry) Ell, as part of his scheme to preserve the natural state of the Port Hills overlooking Christchurch and Lyttelton. The others are Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird and Sign of the Packhorse, placed at regular distances for walkers to stop and rest.

Harry Ell and his team of workers started construction in 1918 with little financial backing or local support. Ell spent years studying the design of English manors, castles and inns, the best of which he incorporated into the structure of the Takahe, the most remarkable and cherished of all his projects.

The building has a totally unique two storey asymmetrical plan encompassing entirely different architectural styles. The northwest fa?ade, which overlooks the Canterbury Plains, is reminiscent of a gothic style English Manor House of the 14th century while the southwest corner features a 17th century style baroque three storey crenellated tower. The eastern aspect is in the style of a Dickensian Inn from late 18th century England.

The interior is magnificent with gothic arches, huge Kauri beams, massive fireplaces and intricate wood and stone carving. The three dining rooms have long been established heritage venues for functions and fine dining.

A lot of improvisation was required to minimise costs so materials and tools were salvaged and scrounged from all over Canterbury. For example, the stone was quarried locally from the Port Hills and hand chiselled into blocks using primitive tools, the heavy Kauri beams in the entrance hall were salvaged from a former bridge over the Hurunui River and the ceilings in the innermost dining room were painted on timber cut from packing cases.

Ell operated the partially completed building for some years as a tearoom, hoping any profits would help finance his work, but unfortunately the venture was not successful. The building also functioned as a Tram Terminus for a short time.

Ell's last years were spent supervising the continued construction of the Sign of the Takahe, aided by relief workers, known as Ell's Angels, and an expert carver, Mary Sophia Douglas.

The building endured many hardships over the years, including financial disaster and Ell's death in 1934. It lay abandoned until 1942 when the Christchurch City Council purchased the building to save it from further deterioration. With assistance from former colleagues of Ells (notably architect J.G. Collins) the building was completed and officially opened as the Sign of the Takahe some seven years later in 1949.

Since 1949 it has been run as a functions and fine dining venue and is a cherished Christchurch landmark.

The Sign of the Takahe previously hosted President Bill Clinton for his summit meeting with the then Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, and was used as a filming location for Peter Jackson's "The Frighteners" starring Michael J Fox. It has also hosted the official visit of Her Imperial Highness The Princess Nori of Japan.

During the renovations in 2007, an unexposed wall was revealed bearing original signatures from the key builders, architect, stonemasons and craftsmen which were hidden behind wood paneling. The signatures have since been preserved behind special perspex and are available to view from the Soh Bar and Café.

The relaunch - a glamorous affair
On Friday 26 October 2007, the Sign of the Takahe celebrated its relaunch by hosting the most glamorous affair staged within its walls for many years.

Click here to view a larger version

Locals, dignitaries, celebrities and Prime Minister Helen Clark attended, with the PM cutting a red ribbon encircling the building.

On her first visit to the Sign of the Takahe, the Prime Minister congratulated all involved and said she was "blown away by the standard of the building".

Pawan assists the Prime Minister at the ribbon cutting ceremony Click here to view a larger version

The entertainment line up was equally impressive, with New Zealand soul singer Hollie Smith performing hot on the heels of picking up three Tuis (including Best Female Solo Artist) at the New Zealand Music Awards earlier this month.

Hollie Smith entertains Click here to view a larger version

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra's String Quartet greeted arriving guests, the Jennine Bailey Jazz Band entertained and there was also live comedy, a dance band and a DJ.

Later guests enjoyed gourmet delights as Canterbury's leading producers served the best of their food and wine. This was followed by a specialist, misguided tour of Sign of the Takahe by two old toffs Artemis & Fartemis of corporate comics the Outwits.

Still later, Auckland dance band The Pulse got everyone dancing on the flagstones before a spectacular fireworks display.

Fireworks even more brilliant in this impressive setting Click here to view a larger version

Owner Pawan Kalia said the team at Sign of the Takahe had been working towards this moment all year.

"Sign of the Takahe is gearing up to become among the very best restaurants in New Zealand. The building is iconic, our dining and entertainment offering is set to reach that status also," said Pawan.

"Our aim today was to show Christchurch and all of New Zealand that we can stage an amazing event from afternoon tea through to food and wine sampling then dancing until the small hours.

"Sign of the Takahe has always been known as a historic landmark, but now as a venue it's back with a vengeance."