CBD gaining ‘real momentum’
A new Christchurch central city is emerging in a rash of pre-Christmas openings and informal unveilings.
A stroll around the city centre reveals a network of buildings, lanes and footpaths that have opened up after years of being blocked off or shut behind fences, barriers and scaffolding.
Christchurch people can now walk unimpeded along footpaths and lanes to new shops and businesses. Lanes through the BNZ centre complex take pedestrians from Hereford St to Cashel St, past a set-piece plaza and garden.
BNZ centre owner Nick Hunt was celebrating the opening of his building on Friday with friends and a few drinks.
‘‘I’ve got friends down from Auckland and Wellington and the general comment is it’s coming alive. It’s still early days, but there is already that feeling of coming alive and isn’t that great for everybody in Christchurch.’’
The ANZ building is emerging from behind fences and construction huts, and several shops are now inviting customers, including the luxury jewellery outlet Partridge and clothing shop Hallensteins.
Cashel Mall is becoming a mall again, and wide new footpaths along Colombo St can be negotiated without contending with blockages and other hurdles.
The Crossing development, opposite Ballantynes, has reached a stage where the final product and its various features can be glimpsed.
The same can be said for the justice and emergency services complex, with many aspects including the new court building resplendent with a sculptural wall, being slowly unveiled.
On completion 1200 people will work in the complex and it expects 900 visitors a day.
The completion of the first courtroom was celebrated on Friday.
The Arts Centre is also disclosing more of its long-fencedoff treasures. The Great Hall can be inspected and the Christchurch information centre (i-Site) has moved into a beautifully restored part of the complex fronting on Worcester Boulevard.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city was gaining ‘‘real momentum’’ as it transformed from being New Zealand’s oldest city to it newest.
‘‘The city is starting to take shape. Every time I go into town, I’m finding something new. My favourite is the new i-Site at the Arts Centre where old and new are blending to make it live again.’’
On the west side of town in Cashel St, the PWC building with its spectacular white wavy exterior was officially opened by outgoing Prime Minister John Key on Friday.
Former city councillor Paul Lonsdale, who was also central city manager for the Business Association and was behind the Re: Start project, said the new advances in the central city were significant developments. ‘‘People have forgotten what it’s like to walk around without obstructions. You look down Cashel Mall and it has the feel of a new central-city street.
‘‘You can almost sense the new city emerging. It’s exciting. You can see the city coming to life again. There are some interesting buildings.
‘‘The laneway concept will make for a more interesting city. Now you’ve got nice light tunnels and garden areas, and businesses can face onto those and you can utilise the full potential of the building and create some great public spaces.
‘‘Most of the building owners are wanting 100 per cent of code, if not more. We want a rock-solid city back and it looks like that is exactly what we are going to get.’’