Big car park and retail building for Christchurch

An artist's sketch of the planned car park building.

Work has begun on the site of new eight-level car parkfor the Christchurch CBD that will cater for 570 vehicles and which is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

The building spans Hereford St and High St, opposite the ANZ Centre, and is being built for Tim Glasson who is developing both sites.

The development incorporates a large ground floor retail area of 1500 to 2000 sq m which will include a walkway running from Hereford St through to High St, via a two-level link building that will house offices on the upper level. Cars will enter and exit the car park from Hereford St.

It is being built on the site of the former Reserve Bank and the National Mutual Arcade with the project being undertaken by Calder Stewart Construction.

Match Realty director Aubrey Cheng, who is handling the development's retail leasing in association with Ryan Geddes from Savills, said the car parking building is a pivotal element in the central city's rebuild.

An artist's impression of the Hereford St entry to the car park including a café.

"Car parking has long been recognised as a crucial issue in the CBD rebuild and this will provide significant space for retail precinct shoppers in the central city.

"Pedestrians can enter and exit from the building from Hereford St and High St allowing easy access to key new developments such as the ANZ Centre, BNZ Centre, The Crossing together and well-known Ballantynes."

Cheng says the substantial nature of the ground floor retail will be attractive for larger format retailers who are eager to be in the central city. She says it will also help to further activate that whole area and drive foot traffic from the northern edge into Cashel St to balance the other car parks at southern end.

Bradley Luke, of architects PeddleThorp, says a lot of work has gone into the building's façade.

"A variety of perforated metal panels and glazing systems will make the car park an attractive structure in its own right that fits in with its CBD surrounds."