Gallery, NZME move into MED
Christchurch’s former MED building has reopened as the new home of an art gallery, a media company, and technology businesses.
After being out of action since the earthquakes, the Armagh St building has been restored and is finally back in business.
The 1930s building was originally a substation forming part of Christchurch’s Metropolitan Electrical Department (MED) complex, and was later taken over by power companies Southpower and then Orion.
It was bought by the Crown after the quakes. The former MED office building alongside it was demolished in 2012.
In 2018, Crown rebuild company O¯ ta¯ karo sold the building to Armagh Welles Ltd for $2.4 million. Armagh Welles is owned by Christchurch property development company Box 112 and some smaller shareholders.
The property is now fully leased.
The Art Shop, a commercial gallery which sells New Zealand artworks on commission, has opened on the ground floor, and radio station and newspaper owner NZME is moving in alongside later this month.
Two technology businesses will shift into the offices on the first floor next month.
Box 112 director Rob Farrell said they were delighted to have finished the project after all the delays caused by the Covid pandemic and the difficulties facing the construction sector.
‘‘The team is very pleased that after a very disruptive 24 months, we all have this beautiful building, and it is open to the public who can go in and enjoy it.’’
The building is at the end of the east frame housing area and Rauora Park, and sits opposite the Margaret Mahy playground.
The Art Shop is owned by John and Kate Morrison, who have run annual art shows around the country for several years, and their business partner, Anthony Buckby.
Their 400m2 gallery has a double-height ceiling and art display space on both the ground and mezzanine floors. Some internal walls can be moved to accommodate exhibitions.
Buckby said they were attracted by both the location and the building itself.
‘‘It’s an amazing building. People are coming in just to have a look at it.’’
Kate Morrison said people were surprised to find them there. ‘‘A lot of people coming in know it was the MED building.’’
NZME is a publicly listed company headquartered in Auckland that has been running its Christchurch operations, including broadcasting studios, out of premises in the industrial suburb of Middleton.