The Frankl house in Christchurch is now available to rent. As Plischke's first residential design in New Zealand, this is a very significant building. Although it has been added to, the original core remains more or less intact.
The future of the building is now uncertain. Condemned after the earthquakes, and then reprieved because of its architectural significance, it remains vulnerable to redevelopment. Fortunately, the current owner is keenly aware of the building's history and importance, and sale for redevelopment is not a likely outcome in the short term. If the building is to be preserved into the future, however, it will need eventually to find a new owner that shares an enthusiasm for heritage protection. New Zealand does not have many buildings from this era (1939) designed by international modernist architects.
