This is an exemplary precedent in reuse, restoration, and renewal. The necessity for earthquake strengthening post-Canterbury quakes was just the beginning. With ground floor retail, family-friendly apartment living all on one level, and a modern penthouse apartment on top, this is multi-use residential and commercial at its best.
The overall development is in keeping with the original building and its adjoining historical additions. The exterior façade has been sensitively restored with original steel windows retrofitted and retained. The aluminum tile clad rooftop addition is considerate to the streetscape below in minimising volume with appropriate setbacks. The historical integrity of the podium building is intact.
The commercial ground floor occupies the acute angle site with maximum street frontage enlivening the corner and participating in street activities. The first storey apartment contains a three-bedroom floor plan accessed via a new spiral stair and lift. The penthouse in all its crowning glory is extended with a rooftop terrace with planting, to balance the appetite for both privacy and entertaining.
This project is awarded for its hard work to retain character, to update for contemporary living, and for the sophisticated and thoughtful execution of the brief. It is a literal cornerstone in the High St precinct which Ōtautahi Christchurch will treasure.