Hotel's future in doubt as stabilisation work begins

3:24 pm on 1 March 2011

The future of the Grand Chancellor hotel in Christchurch is uncertain, says its owner.

The 28-floor hotel has been leaning to one side since the quake, and stabilisation work is under way so it and other buildings around it can be searched safely.

It was seen to tilt about a metre within 10 minutes the day after the quake.

A spokesperson for Grand Hotels International, Hazel Rigler, says it is unclear whether the hotel, which opened in 1995, can be saved or must be demolished.

Ms Rigler says no decision can be made until engineers can get inside the building.

She says Grand Hotels has been doing everything it can to support its 109 staff members in Christchurch.