Ngāi Tahu chooses Hawkins for big Christchurch project ?

Artist's impression of large Christchurch office and retail building to be constructed on the site of the historic King Edward barracks in the city centre.

Ngāi Tahu Property has appointed Hawkins to build Stage One of its major development on the site of the former King Edward Barracks between Cashel Street, Hereford Street, Montreal Street and Cambridge Terrace in central Christchurch.

The first stage of the project will see two commercial office buildings and a large landscaped public space constructed on the Cambridge Terrace end of the 16,400 sq m site.

A multi-storey car park is in the final stages of design and will be released for tender in the near future.

Construction is scheduled to start in September 2015 and be completed in February 2017.

Gordon Craig, development manager at Ngāi Tahu Property, says Hawkins was appointed following a robust and competitive evaluation process.

"We received tenders from several high-calibre local and national firms. Each party presented very competitive proposals, however Hawkins was finally selected based on its strong track record in delivering complex and high profile projects along with its excellent health and safety record."

Steve Taw, South Island regional manager for Hawkins Construction, says the company is looking forward to working with Ngāi Tahu Property and adding the big development to its portfolio of work on the Christchurch build.

"This key project will form a cornerstone part of the emerging office precinct beside the Ōtākaro Avon River," Taw says.

The precinct-styled development on the King Edward Barracks site is designed to become a link between Christchurch's central retail area, Hagley Park, the Cultural Precinct and the Civic Building. Tenants announced so far include the New Zealand Government and EY. Further key international tenants will be announced shortly.

Future stages of the project could include two further smaller office buildings and apartments but construction of these will be subject to market demand.