The former IRD building on the corner of Madras and Cashel streets is owned by Otakaro Ltd, which said the future of the building was "under review".

Boltbox Limited bought 159-161 Manchester St in 2014, and recently opposed a request to make it heritage-listed, claiming it would hinder development.

The old Design and Arts College building at 116 Worcester St is still the subject of a dispute between owner Windlass Holdings and its insurer.

The old Millennium Hotel, left, has been bought by Distinction Hotels, which plans to repair and reopen the Cathedral Square building.

Development of the Old Post Office in Cathedral Square was being held up by lengthy court battles over insurance, owner Gordon Chamberlain said.

City council-owned Our City O-Tautahi at 159 Oxford Tce is still being assessed for damage.

Owners Tailorspace plan to demolish 143-147 Armagh St to make way for "mixed use development".

The old Public Trust Office faces demolition after its owners Tailorspace successfully applied to have its heritage status removed.

Christchurch's old Public Trust office is one step closer to being demolished, after its owner successfully applied to have the building's heritage status removed.

An independent panel set up under the Christchurch Replacement District Plan accepted the request from building owner Tailorspace on July 12.

The company had previously applied to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) twice to demolish the Oxford Tce building. Both times it was denied.

JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/FAIRFAX NZ The old Public Trust Office on Oxford Tce could face demolition if its owners get their way.

It would now have to go through the regular consent process to proceed with demolition – no such consent had yet been received by Environment Canterbury or the Christchurch City Council.

The 1920s building, designed by celebrated architect Cecil Wood, suffered earthquake damage but was repairable according to a Cera report.

Ross Gray, deputy chair of both the Christchurch Civic Trust and Historic Places Canterbury, wanted the building, or at least its facade, restored.

"It's a loss because it's a very beautiful building," he said.

Heritage NZ southern manager Sheila Watson said any significant work on the site would require "archaeological authority from Heritage NZ".

Other earthquake-damaged buildings in the central city with uncertain futures were at various stages of negotiation.

Tailorspace will get their wish for the existing buildings at their 143-147 Armagh St site, soon to be demolished to make way for "mixed use development".

Chief executive Brett Gamble said the site, at the corner of Armagh and Manchester streets, was "the premier development site in the city".

"It's the ideal spot for mixed use development, commercial, hospitality and even some high-end apartments."

Gamble said the site was partially cleared with "no definite timeframe" on when existing buildings would be demolished.

"Some certainty around the Convention Centre would also help without a doubt, so we can start to explore our options."

Development of Cathedral Square's Old Post Office building was being held up "entirely due to insurance issues", owner Gordon Chamberlain said.

The category one heritage-listed site suffered interior damage in the earthquakes, which would be repaired, Chamberlain said. The damaged roof, which included asbestos, would also be replaced.

A court process had confirmed an insurance claim was payable, but "we now have to go back to court to establish how much the insurer must pay", Chamberlain said. A court date was set for May 2017.

"If the past court battles are any indication, it may be another two or three years."

The former IRD building on the corner of Madras and Cashel streets was owned by Crown company Otakaro Ltd. Communication manager Andrew Trevelyan said its future was "under review".

The city council-owned Our City O-Tautahi building on Worcester St was severely damaged in the earthquakes. The council was still assessing structural damages and the condition of heritage fabric.

A council spokesman said the assessment could take up to 12 months.