in 1994, the building was registered as a heritage building by the new zealand historic places trust (nzhpt). in 1997, the owner of the star building, the lyttelton times building and warner's hotel applied for demolition consent. at the time, only the lyttelton times building was registered with the nzhpt. the hearing's commissioner, bob batty, granted permission for the lyttelton times building to be demolished, declined the request for warner's hotel, and granted permission to demolish the star building, but its façade had to be kept. the environment court overturned the demolition consent, and the lyttelton times building was purchased by the christchurch heritage trust, which turned the building into a backpackers' hostel and a restaurant.