Christchurch Merivale office space with a difference

The 'stand-out' office building for lease next to Merivale shopping centre in Christchurch.

A three-storey, architecturally-designed commercial building known as The Megatower , which has revitalised the former site of the Merivale public toilets, is now available for lease in the Christchurch suburb.

"The building at 133 Office Road really stands out from the crowd," says Robert Williams of JLL who is marketing 62sq m of space for lease spread over three storeys and a mezzanine floor on a 27sq m site.

"This bold design would suit a tenant looking to base their business in a stand-out building, whether a small firm wishing to boost their profile, or a commercial tenant intending to live and work onsite," Williams says.

"Imagine directing clients to this new home in a very special building. It can't be missed - there's just nothing else like it. It is located right next to Merivale shopping centre, just off Papanui Rd. It's an area well-known by locals and very close to the city centre. Cathedral Square is 3km away and Christchurch airport is just 8km away."

Williams says the unusual building was designed by award-winning architect Thom Craig.

"His Megatower efficiently maximises the site with the height of the building allowing for rooftop views across the city and the first floor having a small balcony looking out onto the road.

"The structure has plenty of glass to let in the daylight while a combination of electronic external louvres and air-conditioning throughout keeps the building at a comfortable temperature."

Williams says the ground floor area of 18sq m can be used as a garage or storage area. The first and second floors are also 18sq m each and feature self-contained office space with bathroom and kitchen facilities and built-in cabinetry. A ladder leads to a mezzanine floor with another eight square metres of space.

JLL has released its Pulse report for Christchurch's office market, for the first quarter of 2016 which shows that tenants have plenty of choice in terms of office space, as there is a surplus of stock available, particularly in the CBD.

"However that stock tends to be of much larger floor plates," Williams says.

"For a small business, the chance to lease a compact, architecturally-designed space like this is rare."