Chester Street East and Dawson Lane are now recognised for their 'special identity' as one of nine 'Residential Heritage Areas' protected in the Christchurch District Plan [Ref]. Considered a unique place of "mixed-class residence" instigated from the earliest years of colonial settlement.
The residential houses that remain reflect the mix of people who built the city post European settlement; for example colonels, lawyers, builders, warehousemen, and lamplighters.
The origins of this unique area began 160 years ago when early settler, David Clarkson, saw the need for small sections to house the city's working people. Shortly after he purchased Town Reserve 170 he subdivided it into a private road (now Dawson Lane) and smaller sections on either side. Dwellings were rapidly erected to house city workers. This contrasts with the homes on Chester Street East between Madras and Barbadoes that tended to be larger in scale and "typically became the homes of higher-class families."
The RHA is comprised of twenty homes that 'contribute' to the heritage area. It is pleasing to see the commitment of today's property owners; over half have been significantly repaired or rebuilt. Similarly two of the three dwellings that are 'defining' due to their heritage listing, have been rebuilt or repaired. This bodes well for the preservation of this unique area for generations to come.
In September 2025, the Hearings Panel considering all nine proposed RHA's made specific reference of the Chester St East / Dawson RHA and noted;
"The Panel wishes to acknowledge the strong sense of community shown by numerous members of the community and the efforts made to retain the strong social dimension of this neighbourhood. Historically, Chester Street East was home to a close-knit worker cottage community, and it still retains a diverse yet well-connected population whose relationships and shared sense of place continue to enrich its character." [Ref]
