On this page:

• Overview
• Background
• City Mall plans
• Artist's impressions
• Project update May 2008
• Sustainability

Overview

The City Mall is one of Christchurch's most important public and commercial spaces. The area is an iconic part of our City that holds a special place in our hearts and minds. The Mall plays host to our visitors and guests, leaving a strong impression of what Christchurch is. More importantly, it reflects how we care and feel about the heart of our community.

At present, City Mall is in decline. It has been 25 years since the last significant public investment in the area which is borne out by its worn, albeit well-loved, appearance. As a flagship destination within Christchurch, we can't afford for the head of the fleet to sink.

To reinvigorate this vital part of the Central City, we are proposing an ambitious renovation of the City Mall. We believe that strengthening the mall will support broader Central City revitalisation efforts.

Specifically, our proposal for renovating City Mall includes:

• developing a promenade along High Street
• creating 'Garden Rooms' on Cashel Street with outdoor dining and seating
• improving events and recreation space at the intersection of Cashel and High streets
• planting more trees
• replacing Stewart Fountain with new seating and a signatory public art piece
• upgrading the Cashel-Colombo and Hereford-Colombo intersections which are vital connections to the area
• building service lanes to clean up delivery traffic in the Mall
• possible extension of the tram through City Mall
• improving lighting
• improving retail management and maintenance in the area

It is our belief that there is no one solution to the City Mall's ills, but that the revival of City Mall must rely on a balanced approach. This proposed design has evolved out of analysis of the challenges facing the Mall and seeks to respond to the area's wide range of users and needs. We believe that this proposal strikes an appropriate balance between all of these desires and ambitions. Most important, we believe that this proposal offers a robust solution that will reinvigorate a vital part of our City.

Background

In 2006 as part of the Long-Term Council Community Plan process (Page 83 LTCCP), the Council agreed that the City Mall area was in need of renovation and allocated $10.5 million for the upgrade of this public space.

Based on that decision, Council staff and consultants developed a renovation plan for the City Mall that incorporated feedback received during a preliminary consultation process. This plan was released for formal comment in September 2006 and public hearings where held in November 2006. Following from this consultation, the plan was further modified to respond to public feedback and a final design was developed. This design was approved by Council on 14 December 2006 and staff were directed to proceed to implementing the renovation plan.

Since that time, detailed designs (i.e. construction documents) have been developed and Council has entered into its first Alliance contract to deliver the City Mall project. The Alliance consists of representatives from Council, designers Isthmus Group, and contractor Downer EDI Works. The Alliance has a dedicated leadership team which meets regularly and functions as the governance body.

City Mall plans

The overall plan for City Mall	High and Cashel Street intersection perspective
Cashel Street perspective	High and Cashel Street perspective

Artist's impressions

Seating areas along Cashel Street	View along Cashel Street looking towards the Bridge of Remembrance
Cashel and High Street intersection	Stewart Plaza - Colombo, High and Hereford intersection

Project update May 2008

The new-look City Mall is open for business, make sure you head into Christchurch's Central City to take a look.

Work will be completed along High Street as far as the Hallensteins building by the beginning of June.

Read the latest City Mall newsletter for more information:

• Project City Mall Update – May 2008

Sustainability

Enhancing the environment and making Christchurch more sustainable are core tenets of the City Mall project. At a strategic level, the renovation project is intended to encourage greater use and redevelopment in our Central City in line with the Urban Development Strategy. By focusing on pedestrian amenity and stitching together Central City precincts, the project encourages walking and cycling while at the same time leveraging great access to our commuter bus network. Beyond these broad objectives, other specific examples of Project: City Mall’s commitment to sustainability include:

• use of local, long-lasting materials (i.e. low energy use)
• increased trees and planting
• use of permeable pavers to help manage storm water
• re-use of materials removed from the current Mall
• recycling stations
• cycle racks