For Mark Aldridge and his partner Nick Dawson, leaving their Canterbury lifestyle block marked a deliberate shift, trading space for a more connected city lifestyle.
“I said, I don’t want to go suburban; if we’re going to move, I want to go right into the city,” Aldridge said.
They are now based in an apartment in One Central, with work, cafés and entertainment all within easy reach.
One Central, Fletcher Living’s central Christchurch development, is nearing completion. More than 400 homes are now occupied bringing life back into the CBD. The mix of apartments, terraced homes and standalone houses has drawn a wide range of buyers.
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“I’ve got a five-minute walk to work, coffee right on my doorstep, and I can walk to theatres and get involved in the community,” said Aldridge. “That was really important to us, coming from a rural area where community is a big part of life.”
For Aldridge and Dawson, finding the right apartment was key. While they were happy to downsize, they didn’t want to feel cramped, especially with two dogs. That led them to choose a two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout that felt spacious, something Aldridge said was a rarity in the city: “Every square metre of the floor plan is utilised.”
Downsizing has also brought a simpler way of living. “The freedom of it has been enormous, being able to enjoy things without being tied to everything we owned,” said Aldridge.
Even the car now plays a smaller role, sitting mostly unused in its car park, visible from their balcony, (looking) “magnificent in the sunshine.”
Another couple seeing the appeal of city living are Hank and Jill van Keulen, from Rangiora.
They have purchased two apartments at One Central, using one for regular city stays and planning to rent out the second as a long-term investment.
“We saw it as a great opportunity to be in the central city,” Hank said. “Some people have a bach in Marlborough Sounds. We have a bach in central Christchurch.”
With significant development under way across Christchurch, the couple, who are slowly moving into retirement, said they carefully considered their options and felt Fletcher Living met their expectations for build quality. They also had added reassurance, with one of their sons having worked on the development.
Its location opposite Margaret Mahy Playground has made it easier to spend time with family, offering a natural place to meet in the city.
They’ve also made the most of the city’s restaurants, events and nightlife. “We’ve got tickets to Robbie Williams,” he said. “But we could probably just sit outside the apartment and listen to the whole concert.”
In partnership with Crown Infrastructure Delivery (formerly Rau Paenga), Fletcher Living’s One Central development is a key part of Christchurch’s wider regeneration of the former East Frame — an 11‑block neighbourhood designed to bring people back into the heart of the city.
For those who lived through that period (the earthquakes) as Aldridge did, there was a time when the city’s future felt uncertain. Now, it feels alive again.
“There’s a real buzz. The intent from the local government was to bring life back into the city, and I think the developments through the East Frame have really done that.”
Fletcher Living Canterbury Regional Manager Mike Davison said, "The opportunity for an urban renewal of this scale is something we take great pride in delivering for Christchurch. One Central has helped re‑energise the inner city, creating real neighbourhoods where people want to live, connect, and contribute to Christchurch’s ongoing re-emergence".
To find out more about what’s available at One Central, explore remaining homes or plan a visit go to: fletcherliving.co.nz/locations/canterbury/one-central/
