A new 12-level building will bring new high-rise office space back to Christchurch’s CBD for the first time since before the Canterbury earthquakes.
Countrywide Group is constructing the 11,000sqm building at 56 Worcester Street, which will stand 45m high and provide super-premium grade, sustainable office space ideal for blue chip corporate tenants.
Mitchell Wallace, of CBRE, and Brynn Burrows, of Colliers, are jointly marketing the building for lease ahead of expected completion and opening in 2027.
Nine levels of superior office space, three levels of car parking, a grand entrance lobby, cafe/restaurant and premium end-of-trip facilities will set the tower apart from anything else in the Christchurch CBD market, said Wallace.
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“Countrywide has taken the bold step of being the first to reintroduce high-rise development back to Christchurch, with a stunning international-standard office building that would not be out of place in any CBD globally.”
The tower will feature wrap-around glazing to all levels, commanding expansive views over the city, Hagley Park and the Southern Alps.
The efficient 1250sqm office floors can be leased individually or combined for larger multi-floor tenancies, providing flexible options for professional services firms and other corporates looking for high-end Christchurch office space, said Burrows.
“The combination of scale, corporate-grade specification and sustainability credentials make this building a truly outstanding offering. As well as the flexible floor layouts and stunning views, tenants will benefit from an absolute premium lobby experience and end-of-trip facilities that will be the envy of the local corporate market.”
The building’s sustainable design and construction is intended to achieve excellence on a national level, with dual five-star NABERSNZ and Green Star ratings being targeted. Workplace health and comfort is also a top priority, with a high-performance HVAC system providing fresh outdoor air at 150% of code requirements.
These attributes future-proof the building and also meet the stringent ESG requirements of global corporations, said Burrows.
“NABERS is now compulsory in Australia and blue-chip tenants have strict sustainability benchmarks for their leased space. This building will incorporate the latest in green technology in line with the international standards required by corporate occupiers.”
As the first high rise building in Christchurch since the Anthony Harper Tower was completed in 2009, the new building is highly significant in the evolution of the CBD, said Wallace.
“New construction on a low-rise scale has become the norm following the city’s post-earthquake rebuild plan. While this phase of new development has been tremendously important in helping the market regain confidence in seismically-resilient commercial construction, we believe the time is right to bring a new high-rise development to the city to showcase Christchurch nationally.”
The completion of the new building will follow on the heels of the final major anchor projects including One NZ Stadium and the Parakiore sports centre, at a time when confidence in the CBD is going from strength to strength.
As well as the stadium nearing completion, the CBD is benefiting from major new hotel proposals including the high-profile refurbishment of the former Noah’s Hotel a short distance from the new building.
With resource consent granted and piling due to commence soon, prospective tenants can take confidence in Countrywide’s ability to deliver the building and its market-leading, super-premium work spaces, Burrows said.
“As the current leasing cycle rolls through and larger tenants continue to evaluate their leased space, this new space is expected to be high on the wish lists of occupiers seeking prestige both in terms of brand image and address. The location between the Botanic Gardens and Cathedral Square on pedestrian-friendly Worcester Boulevard is highly sought-after for corporate tenants.”
A well-respected local hospitality operator is in line to run the ground floor hospitality space, which will combine with an expansive, international-grade entrance lobby to welcome staff and visitors. The building’s end-of-trip facilities will also raise the bar in the Christchurch market, with 125 cycle parks, showers and drying rooms.
Richard Diver, of Countrywide Group, said confidence in Christchurch’s future underpins the project.
“We enjoyed contributing to the city regaining confidence and momentum with new office projects after the earthquakes, alongside our fellow developers. Now we feel the time is right to construct a building that will be a landmark on the city skyline and provide a unique new option in the CBD,” he said.
“We are excited about our city’s future and this project represents our strong vote of confidence in it.”
Supplied by CBRE
