Turners and Growers agreement signed
< Turners
and Growers agreement signed The green light has been
given for the revitalisation of the old Turners and Growers
site bounded by Madras, Lichfield, Barbadoes and Tuam
Streets. The second agreement in a two stage process has
been signed between the site's current owner, the
Christchurch City Council, and Urban Winery Christchurch Ltd
(UWC), enabling UWC to revitalise 13,000m2 of the site with
a central city urban winery and village. "Council's plans
for the site have always been for it to be used as a
catalyst for residential redevelopment on the eastern side
of the central city, and an example of intensive mixed use
activity," says Council General Manager Strategy and
Planning Michael Theelen. "Council is delighted with UWC
plans and believe they will be a great addition to Council
and private development work in the Central City's east area
and to the Central City Revitalisation as a whole." UWC
Directors Rasbeer Gill and Ian Cassels have extensive
experience in urban revitalisation projects in Wellington
and see this development as one way to support and maintain
the drive to intensify Christchurch's inner city. "Urban
Winery Christchurch Limited is excited by the opportunity to
undertake the revitalisation of the former Turners and
Growers block. The development is designed to establish and
build momentum through a careful choice of mixed use
activities that will contribute towards central city
rejuvenation," says Mr Gill.
"The emphasis will be high
quality residential with sufficient additional activity to
ensure that the neighbourhood offers a long-term sustainable
option for living within the city." The key, says Mr
Cassels, "is that we create an environment capable of
attracting our sons and daughters back from overseas. We
want to encourage Christchurch people back into their
central city to enjoy it and be proud of it. "Christchurch is capable of footing it with the best
boutique cities in the world if it can combine its abundant
natural assets with a regained vibrant inner city." The
proposal provides for residential accommodation, a hotel
with winery, a retail market area, car parking and a central
public space connecting to Lichfield, Tuam and Madras
Streets. Ian McKenzie, Council City Solutions Project
Manager, says the milestone means the Council is another
step closer to achieving its vision for Central City
Revitalisation. "The Council originally acquired the
site in 2002 for the purpose of revitalising and enhancing
the eastern side of the central city. Subsequent rezoning
has enabled residential development on the site. Development
as a quality residential area with attractive and accessible
public open spaces where people will want to live and
contribute to the vitality of the area is key to the
Council's Revitalisation Strategy," he says. "Ultimately,
we anticipate development of this site will lead to further
residential development and investment in the central city,
complementing recent inner-city projects undertaken by other
developers." UWC expect the development to take between
five and seven years depending on the actual rate of demand
for residential accommodation. Background: The original
Turners and Growers site (17,546m2) was acquired by the
Christchurch City Council in July 2002 for $3.68 million for
the purpose of revitalising and enhancing the eastern side
of the central city. In the last year under a
"deconstruction" contract, buildings, steel, timber and
other reusable materials were removed from the site and most
of the concrete crushed and retained for use as fill by the
developer.
ENDS