Property purchases and Master Plan
In August 2008, the Christchurch City Council purchased four sites in Central City South, along with Sydenham Square, to safeguard redevelopment in the Central City. All five sites are extremely desirable and key to the success of the Council's plans for urban intensification via the Central City South Master Plan and the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS).
Central City South Charrette
Leading into the 2008 property purchase, a planning charrette entitled 'Future Directions' was held in 2006 to promote and coordinate redevelopment in the Central City South – the area primarily bounded by Moorhouse Avenue, Colombo, Lichfield and Madras streets.
Numerous groups participated in the charette including property owners, developers, local businesses, community members, and the Council. The issues that were explored were documented in a Final Report alongside key recommendations, which covered topics such as the area’s lanes, heritage buildings, linkages to other precincts, streetscape design, transport and major redevelopment sites.
Central City South – Future Directions [PDF 8.1MB]
Alternatively, contact us for a copy of the report.
Following from the charrette, in September 2006 Christchurch City Council adopted an integrated package of revitalisation programmes for the Central City. The Central City South is a major part in this programme. To advance redevelopment in the Central City South, the Council has specifically committed to:
- Improving and expanding the system of lanes in the Central City South.
- Extending the Tram from Cathedral Square through City Mall and down to the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
- Implementing pedestrian and landscape improvements on Madras, Barbadoes, St Asaph, Lichfield, Tuam and High Streets.
- Supporting mixed use development (e.g. development that contains a blend of residential and commercial uses).
- Continuing to work with the owners of the former Turners and Growers site to establish a comprehensive mixed use development.
- Developing an expanded Transport Interchange adjacent to the precinct on Lichfield Street between Durham and Colombo Streets.
- Redeveloping the Civic Offices and car park on Tuam Street for mixed use activity.
Redevelopment of Tuam Street Civic Offices
With the relocation of Civic Offices to Hereford Street in August 2010, the Tuam Street Civic Offices site is the first redevelopment project of the Master Plan. The intention for this site is to:
- Retain and conserve the existing heritage building
- Convert the ground floor of the main Civic Building and the Annex to commercial uses
- Consider locating parking on the first floor of the main Civic Building
- Convert the upper floors of the main Civic Building to residential
