$150m refurbishment planned for Press site

By LIZ McDONALD - The Press | Wednesday, 13 February 2008

The Press's central Christchurch site will undergo a $150 million redevelopment after its sale to an Australian construction firm.


The newspaper's owner, Fairfax Media, has signed a conditional contract to sell the eight-building Christchurch complex to Sydney-based construction company Ganellen.

Ganellen plans to refurbish the protected century-old Press building in Cathedral Square for use as a hotel or offices, build new premises for the newspaper next door, and create a lane precinct through the property.

The sale price has not been disclosed. However, Fairfax was told by its real estate agents when it went to market in October to expect about $15 million for the complex.

Fairfax South Island general manager Chris Jagusch described the deal as a "fantastic outcome" which would give the paper new premises while keeping it onsite.

The sale would help fund a $30m new printing facility due to open next year on a suburban site still to be chosen. The paper's existing 24-year-old press is in the Gloucester Street end of its site, which extends to Worcester Street and includes Press Lane.

Until its new offices are built, the paper will lease back its premises for about $1.25m, with the rent dropping to about $1m when it closes the printhouse.

Ganellen director Peter Maneas said his company "would like to be there the next day" to start construction when the old press stopped running.

While no designs had been finalised, Ganellen planned to put new multi-storey buildings behind the property's historic facades on Gloucester Street. These would house ground-floor shops and offices for the newspaper's office-based staff of about 280.

The original four-storey Press building, built between 1907 and 1909 from concrete and brick, would be refurbished for either a hotel or offices.

"We are still negotiating issues and having chats with council _ we are talking to heritage people right now," Maneas said.

A more recent adjoining building would be demolished to link Press Lane to Cathedral Junction.

"I really like the Lichfield Street lanes and Little Collins Street in Melbourne _ and we'd like to do that sort of development around Press Lane. It's great for Christchurch."

The contract was Ganellen's first move into New Zealand. The company's Sydney track record included new office, apartment and industrial buildings, as well as refurbished heritage buildings.

Jagusch said the contract had conditions on both sides. The sale could be finalised by April.

CW got there first...but I think this development needs it's own thread.

Now we are really going to see the whole Northeastern section of the Square take off. C1, Novotel, Cathedral Junction and now The Press buildings.

Wow..........thoughts and ideas anyone?

Wow she's all go in Christchurch ........:cheers:

http://www.dayout.co.nz/public-files/pictures/55244.jpg

http://www.heatherland.ca/blog/images.May5/thePress.jpg

Davee well done. All your positive thinking looks to be paying off. Im going to start visualising a good 150metre tower plonked in amongst it.

Davee well done. All your positive thinking looks to be paying off. Im going to start visualising a good 150metre tower plonked in amongst it.

:lol::lol:Go for it MC :) I'll dream of a 150 m tower tonight and we'll see where we get.

Off to bed now - nighty bless :)

Some sort of iconic tower that will age gracefully and compliment the surrounding old buildings...like London's Gherkin.

$150 Million is a decent investment to this building.. I would expect something pretty amazing to be built.

This part of town is turning into a hive of activity.. Whats next?

Brilliant news! Really looking foward to hearing some plans for this site. Your prediction was incredibly accurate Mr Davee :shocked:

Fannytastic building that ... I am sure that it is going to be an awesome addition no matter what they do .... well done CHC !

Thanks Canterbury watch, thats good news. $150m could get a pretty sweet multi story building - or buildings as the article says.

Its very good to see a number of big projects taking off in Christchurch. Gotta bode well for the local economy. Good to see money changing hands, deals being done etc.

In regards to this particular project its going to help make that particular block a really busy area. Theres a few hotels and backpackers cafes and restaurants there already. And now The Press building being converted, in conjunction with the Novotel, C1 tower and Davees much dreamed of C2 all I can say is WOW!

They also said they hoped to have a Collins Street type development there as well, so it will be similar to the Lanes possibly. All speculation at the moment. Very positive stuff. I am envisioning investment of around $2-$5 billion in the innercity. This is a start. As for 150 metre towers I think it would be more likely to happen some time around 2015. If this oil and gas thing pans out which I think it will, you could realistically see these types of developments in Christchurch. :)

Lets just hope that the developers do something that really matches the location. If one looks diagonally across the square to remind themselves of what Telecom did behind the old Post Office then one could get a little cautious.

For example, while I don't think the C1 tower in general looks particularly outstanding anyway, it does fit the current location. But having exactly that building right behind the press building would be appalling.

I'd like to see a reasonably highrise building, maybe Novotel's height, with some more subtle design features to make it blend in and not try and overpower the look of the press building.

I share your concern...but, I think this project will be classy. I've read the Press article a few times and the plan for a multi level building will be behind the Gloucester St side - so next door to C1 - so I'm hoping for something high, then it sounds like another building behind where the Novotel is going up - something mid hight perhaps and then the Press building sensitively done - preserving it's unique character.

I share your concern...but, I think this project will be classy. I've read the Press article a few times and the plan for a multi level building will be behind the Gloucester St side - so next door to C1 - so I'm hoping for something high, then it sounds like another building behind where the Novotel is going up - something mid hight perhaps and then the Press building sensitively done - preserving it's unique character.

Yes, that is true, The Warners and press will still be the prominent frontage buildings. The Novotel will be in behind that and the sketches seem to show that to fit in reasonably well so with the proposed building behind that would make it partly obscured so that there will be no one single building in the backdrop that could overpower the grandeur on the Press/Warners buildings.

I'd say a building maybe up to 20 floors would be good. For it to be much more than that or higher than the C1, it would have to have a bit o a wow look one would think.

Looking forward to seeing some mockup drawings of their proposal.



Good choice I say.

This is good news indeed. Well done Chch ;)

you will see they have had lots of experience with both Old and New Buildings :cheers:http://www.ganellen.com/

I was flicking through the Press online and came across an article that was along the line of Davee's from Feb 12 th. Might be same article although it did say details could be finalised by April. $150 million should do a lot to transform that end of town. The Lanes project they want to incorporate sound great too.

Hi guys from my new home in Norwich..........................:banana::banana:

Just a quick post.

I saw an artical in The Press that said the Press site had been sold and 3 developments will be going on the site. One preserving the heritage building. One large office complex and one commercial development of some kind.........watch this space!

Back to unpacking.......................

Hi guys from my new home in Norwich..........................:banana::banana:

Just a quick post.

I saw an artical in The Press that said the Press site had been sold and 3 developments will be going on the site. One preserving the heritage building. One large office complex and one commercial development of some kind.........watch this space!

Back to unpacking.......................:banana:

OK guys..........are you ready............. this looks like a real goer:banana::banana:

Thanks to the lovely Cartel bringing it to our attention yesterday..........:cheers:

Davee has just seen a small render in Wednesdays Press and on the design teams website :banana:

The add in the paper was about the consultation process. You can get a clear picture of the proposed 4 buildings for the Press site. As Cartel said, they look as though they range from about 10 stories through to 20 plus :banana:

The company dealing with this is Ganellen Design & Construction.

Their web site is http://www.ganellen.com/

Go look - the render is under the commercial heading.

I'm really excitied - I won't be able to sleep tonight :nuts:

Whoah that looks quite cool!

Any pictures of what is there currently?

:cheers:

argh!!!!!

EXCITED!!!

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2548/presszq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Good idea for the thread Dave. Very exiting development indeed! Cannot wait for progress.

^^You announced it Cartel :banana::banana:

This is going to be good!!

Where do you think the render is pictured. I reckon Worcester St behind the Cathedral.

I gave Ganellen an email and they said the would have more info/renderings to release next month

im so excited about this.....i hope it happens!!!

The Press's central Christchurch site will undergo a $150 million redevelopment after its sale to an Australian construction firm.




The newspaper's owner, Fairfax Media, has signed a conditional contract to sell the eight-building Christchurch complex to Sydney-based construction company Ganellen.


Ganellen plans to refurbish the protected century-old Press building in Cathedral Square for use as a hotel or offices, build new premises for the newspaper next door, and create a lane precinct through the property.


The sale price has not been disclosed. However, Fairfax was told by its real estate agents when it went to market in October to expect about $15 million for the complex.


Fairfax South Island general manager Chris Jagusch described the deal as a "fantastic outcome" which would give the paper new premises while keeping it onsite.


The sale would help fund a $30m new printing facility due to open next year on a suburban site still to be chosen.

The paper's existing 24-year-old press is in the Gloucester Street end of its site, which extends to Worcester Street and includes Press Lane.


Until its new offices are built, the paper will lease back its premises for about $1.25m, with the rent dropping to about $1m when it closes the printhouse.


Ganellen director Peter Maneas said his company "would like to be there the next day" to start construction when the old press stopped running.


While no designs had been finalised, Ganellen planned to put new multi-storey buildings behind the property's historic facades on Gloucester Street.

These would house ground- floor shops and offices for the newspaper's office-based staff of about 280.


The original four-storey Press building, built between 1907 and 1909 from concrete and brick, would be refurbished for either a hotel or offices.


"We are still negotiating issues and having chats with council _ we are talking to heritage people right now," Maneas said.


A more recent adjoining building would be demolished to link Press Lane to Cathedral Junction.


"I really like the Lichfield Street lanes and Little Collins Street in Melbourne _ and we'd like to do that sort of development around Press Lane. It's great for Christchurch."


The contract was Ganellen's first move into New Zealand. The company's Sydney track record included new office, apartment and industrial buildings, as well as refurbished heritage buildings.


Jagusch said the contract had conditions on both sides. The sale could be finalised by April.

^^You announced it Cartel :banana::banana:

This is going to be good!!

Where do you think the render is pictured. I reckon Worcester St behind the Cathedral.

it cant be worcester st behind the cathedral... can it? I say that because there isnt a lot of room between the historic press building and cathedral junction for those buildings... it must be Gloucester st where the trucks go in near C1 down towards Colombo st... thats my pick.

This is basically like the Christchurch skyline winning powerball. Its really going to add density to that area and hopefully will drown out the dissapointing C1. Hopefully Pinnacle will go ahead (eventually) along with QV on Armagh, and not forgetting plans for Hilton and Mercure hotels.... most of all though they look like real city buildings... nothing outrageous but pretty slick

it cant be worcester st behind the cathedral... can it? I say that because there isnt a lot of room between the historic press building and cathedral junction for those buildings... it must be Gloucester st where the trucks go in near C1 down towards Colombo st... thats my pick.

This is basically like the Christchurch skyline winning powerball. Its really going to add density to that area and hopefully will drown out the dissapointing C1. Hopefully Pinnacle will go ahead (eventually) along with QV on Armagh, and not forgetting plans for Hilton and Mercure hotels.... most of all though they look like real city buildings... nothing outrageous but pretty slick

I think you are right Sensey :) - I don't know what I was thinking!!!!!!! Duhhh Davee.

I always said that C1 would get a tall neighbough and it looks like it will happen. This will so make Gloucester St come alive and make New Regent street a real humming place.

^^ Go find Brisol.

Has anyone got any pics of this area now - just so we can see how depressing it is??

Christchurch is going to have a great Cbd.:banana::banana:

Christchurch is going to have a great Cbd.:banana::banana:

It certainly will. There appears to be all these islands of development popping up all over the place. A good shot in 10 years time will show quiet an expansive CBD that could well be the envy of other cities much larger than CHC.

Hopefully, this area and the tranformation that is happening down in the Historic Quater will set a new minimal standard for building design and inovation for it's surrounding area.

CHC really does need some quality design and I think we are now starting to get it with the Pinicale, The Press Precinct etc and importantly the Airport.

argh!!!!!

EXCITED!!!

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2548/presszq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I like, very swish :banana:

"I really like the Lichfield Street lanes and Little Collins Street in Melbourne _ and we'd like to do that sort of development around Press Lane. It's great for Christchurch."




This is all great news but the above quote really stands out for me too.

Ive always thought Press Lane was a prime spot for development. It might not get much sun- but would still be a great place to take the missus for a breakfast, have an afternoon cuppa as well and a go back at night to sink a few.

Classy.

This will make Christchurch a much more attractive destination for tourists as there will be more for visitors. When the airport is finished which will possibly coincide with some of the other developments in the city, it will have a great flow on effect. :banana::cheers: This will possibly make Christchurch one of the most happening cities in Australasia.

I see in The Press on Saturday that resource consent has been granted for Stage 1 of this poject. That is for the first 3 building to be built. One of them is the new offices for The Press.

I'm so excited.

Excited!!!

todays press in the property section article on commencement of 3 of the 4 buildings in October or November next year (i cant remember which) with 14 months to completion.

The Press new office 7 stories

New residential or commercial 14 stories

New residential or commercial 11 stories

with the fourth building due for completion in 2014?

ok, my memory is a little scratchy, will go buy the press to get the finer (more accurate) details.

also mentioned a multi million make over for the claridon tower

its a lovely morning

:banana:

certainly good news. All we need now is a few 25 - 30 story buildings thown in to the mix to add some texture to our expanding skyline...

Oh dear it's the magic number again. Another 14 storey building... :fiddle:

An iconc tower would be nice, an idea which could be revisited.:cheers:

Oh dear it's the magic number again. Another 14 storey building... :fiddle:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

When are they going to be able to count above 14 :lol::lol:

Still, the infill all around that area is going to look brilliant. New Regent Street is going to become a oasis in this fantastic, dense new highrise area. When they put up a 20 pls floored building on the other side of the tracks from C1 - wow - it's just going to be brilliant.

Ooo i'm away from the forums for a few weeks and look what great news we have for Chch. Very much liking the look of this proposal.

More info in this article-plus a bigger render for u guys to print screen ;)
http://secure.smartpage.co.nz/clients/colliers/nz/ebook/sqm/winter2008/ :banana:

^^Thanks Bluffy:)

great job. very cool

Stage 1 to commence in October 2009. Fully leased to Fairfax Media and home to The Press Offices.

Also, 54 apartments :banana:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/233-1.jpg?t=1228784387

The historic Press Building..........what will they do with it???

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/233-1.jpg?t=1228784387

The historic Press Building..........what will they do with it???

interior refurbishment and use as office space... apparently

remember that this building is safe

^^They need to bann ALL of that carparking - that needs to become PEOPLE space!

Im not sure that there is a need for that parking. Who uses that parking anyway? Its certainly not pedestrian friendly I hate walking through here thinking a car might reverse out onto me. Im sure it is just short term for people checking into or leaving Warners Hotel or busses dropping off at the backpackers.

If that is the case they should have a proper drop off area akin to the Heritage Hotel on the other side of the Square. Maybe they will redesign the area once the Novotel has opened. I hope so.

Has anyone seen any designs of what the press site will look like?

Has anyone seen any designs of what the press site will look like?

Only the renders we have on the first page. I checked the website the other day - nothing yet. I'm sure something will be up soon.

Whoah that looks quite cool!

Any pictures of what is there currently?

:cheers:

Sorry this has taken a while....but here is an excellent picture by our Cartel showing exactly the 1st Stage of this classy development is going to take place.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/RodriguezOrejuela/SDC10287.jpg

You see all the historic buildings.........they are to be kept and the the new developments are going in behind them.

The density that will be created around here is going to be brilliant, not least the cleaning up and ordering of the environment.

Davee, where's the picture?

Davee, where's the picture?

?? I have it on my screen. Are you not getting it in the States?

I guess not, wonder if it's cos i'm using firefox...i'll try IE

nope, doesn't appear on IE either, must be something to do with my location I guess. sucks

Any sign of anything happening here yet?

Just checked the web site. The project is due to start in October 09 :banana:

Just checked the web site. The project is due to start in October 09 :banana:

WOW! A project that's actually on track in this economy, brilliant! :banana::banana::banana:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2548/presszq3.jpg

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

That looks great. I believe there are going to be a series of lanes which will be turned into another area something like Collins Street.:banana:

Is there a website of this development? Is it still on track?

Only 2 weeks to go before The Press moves it's printing operations to their new super dooper printing site out by the airport.

This means the first lot of vacated buildings for this precinct, so hopefully we will here of development starting times soon.

Does this precinct have a name or website?

Wish they would hurry up and start building it!

Todays Press was the first to be fully printed in the new site. The paper said that construction of the new buildings would start in November, and The Press would move into the new building in 2011.

This project is going ahead despite the recession.

^^ Thats awesome news. Thankyou.

Good to hear. I will be keeping a keen eye out for this one. That whole block has seen huge construction in the last five years. The Tram stop and its associated hotels, C1, Warners, Accor and now this.

:banana: another happy banana

Todays Press was the first to be fully printed in the new site. The paper said that construction of the new buildings would start in November, and The Press would move into the new building in 2011.

This project is going ahead despite the recession.

And we have all this to look forward to starting in only a few weeks time.

These collection of buildings will bring a much needed touch of class to building design in the centre of the city and will tone down C1.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2548/presszq3.jpg

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

I'm still trying to work out if those 4 buildings are the collection of building to be built...

OR

is the tall on at the back, C1 - and the front 3 the new buildings with a 4th to be incorperated somehow into the historic Press building in the Square?

No doubt you will have all seen the quarter page colour ad in The Press yesterday.

Construction starts January on the middle building (8 levels) for The Press' new offices.

see the architect's web page:
http://www.bka.com.au/www/diciplines/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch.html

^^Nice :cheers:

No doubt you will have all seen the quarter page colour ad in The Press yesterday.

Construction starts January on the middle building (8 levels) for The Press' new offices.

see the architect's web page:
http://www.bka.com.au/www/diciplines/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch.html

No I did not see the ad, thanks for the alert. Januray start confirmed, that is good news.

And welcome to the family Mr Fox. Had you been lurking long before you decided to join up?

Ok I'm kinda confused. They're calling it 'Press Building', and it appears to be two very similar buildings, one being 8 levels, the western looks to be around 11. And then there's the one on the eastern side of the site, 15 levels?, wedged in between this & C1.

Will be quite a dense block! And the 'giant screen incorporated into the glazed facade'? Cool!

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_02.jpg

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_01.jpg

That is so chi-chi :) I like.

It will certainly soften C1. I can't wait for them to start - what with this development and The Pinicale, we're a least starting to develop a more international feel to our city identity.

I love the simple, airy, floating feeling the two shorter buildings will porvide. This will equal lots of light at night and will look really good on dull winter days and dark evenings.

From what I understand from the original plan, there is supposed to be a lane way similar to Colins Street in Melbourne. Not sure what that means. Possibly a cafe district similar to the lanes? It is certainly going to clean up an area of town which I remember as being very grotty.:banana:

No I did not see the ad, thanks for the alert. Januray start confirmed, that is good news.

And welcome to the family Mr Fox. Had you been lurking long before you decided to join up?

Thank you very much, just surfed through and thought I'd share some of what I know about the CHC property scene.

From what I understand from the original plan, there is supposed to be a lane way similar to Colins Street in Melbourne. Not sure what that means. Possibly a cafe district similar to the lanes? It is certainly going to clean up an area of town which I remember as being very grotty.:banana:

Yeah you are correct, I think it is going to be Press Lane itself. It backs onto the new Accor so Im not exaclty how that will work, no doubt the hotel will use it as a service lane. btw I prefer a copy of Wellingtons Chews Lane any day. Forget that Melbourne crap.

And metroman when were you last in CHC? 1768? :lol: That area is well fine.

Ah Mr Fox, you're an insider! That's cool, look forward to seeing your contributions.

This development is somewhere to the tune of $100-$150 million I believe.:):cheers:

Hey everyone, just letting you know that demolition on the existing buildings has started. Might take my camera into work tomorrow and se if I can snap off some shots.

^^ Excellent news, I thought it wasnt starting til after Christmas.

Either way this is going to be great to watch taking place. So good to see lots of activity in our little burg.

Yeah you are correct, I think it is going to be Press Lane itself. It backs onto the new Accor so Im not exaclty how that will work, no doubt the hotel will use it as a service lane. btw I prefer a copy of Wellingtons Chews Lane any day. Forget that Melbourne crap.

.

I don't like this Melbourne bashing of yours.

When you arrive, I'll show you why everywhere's copying us :cheers:

^^is Milan Luka visiting Melbourne?

I don't like this Melbourne bashing of yours.

When you arrive, I'll show you why everywhere's copying us :cheers:

Luka.........your in deep doo doo..........:lol:..............I see the end of a beautiful relationship:lol::lol::lol:

eastadl... if he knows what's good for him, he will.

Hey everyone, just letting you know that demolition on the existing buildings has started. Might take my camera into work tomorrow and se if I can snap off some shots.

Yes pleasy Foxy.......get snapping, I'm really going to enjoy seeing this quality development take place!

Awesome News! might go for a lunchtime look as well!

Moist Knickers :lol:

http://www.pressprecinct.com/images/img_gallery_08.jpg

Ohh Marky.......you're such a love......:lol:

Outdoors indoors...........such a good idea for CHC, especially with all the weird weather that can happen.......I like :banana: We could do with a few more development ideas like ^^that :banana:

Double post........durrrrrrrr

Looking forward to the photos, this'll really be a good development. Im almost tempted to suss out an apartment here.

I don't like this Melbourne bashing of yours.



Oh yeah? Bring it!

Yeah off to Melbourne for couple days btwn Christmas and NY. Gotta go for work in late Feb as well. I so gotta get over my disdain of Melbourne, I'm 'sure???' I'll like it.

All but the facade left of the old press building gone! the empty ones to the right are next....hopefully cleared out by the end of the year! exciting!

Very imposing facade, round the back at little less so:lol:.............

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/canal/ChchwithLuka13-1-2010070.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/canal/ChchwithLuka13-1-2010045.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/canal/ChchwithLuka13-1-2010042.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/canal/ChchwithLuka13-1-2010041.jpg

...from the rubble and ash with rise:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2548/presszq3.jpg

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Thanks for the pictures..........this is going to be a fantastic project and will transfrom this whole area - including Pacific Tower and New Regent Street!:banana::)

Four new buildings for that site it will be a squeeze. I hope they all get built.

Four new buildings for that site it will be a squeeze. I hope they all get built.

I think it's only 3 building my love.

The tallest one at the back is Pacific Tower........it's just the way the render has been done, although I'd like to be proved wrong. The more height around to block out PT would be very welcome.

We would need a very wide 30 level tower to block out C1

We would need a very wide 30 level tower to block out C1

Fingers crossed x :lol:

There was a mention in the Christchurch Press on Wednesday Feb 3rd about the official ground breaking ceremony and commencement of construction for the first building. The ceremony included the big wigs from FairFax.

Im So excited about this! can't wait for some cranes to go up! :D

Be nice to have 4 cranes in a row! Would be a first for Christchurch

Saw this site the other day. Demolition of The Press building is now (pretty much) complete, and it looks like they're starting on the foundations. There may be a crane going up soon.

P.s, does any one know what is actually happening here. The current site looks like the size of one pretty small building, certainly not a couple of buildings. Maybe they'll build them one at a time?

:banana::cheers:

Saw this site the other day. Demolition of The Press building is now (pretty much) complete, and it looks like they're starting on the foundations. There may be a crane going up soon.

P.s, does any one know what is actually happening here. The current site looks like the size of one pretty small building, certainly not a couple of buildings. Maybe they'll build them one at a time?

Good........keep us posted.

Remember at least 2 of the new buildings are going behind the historic frontages that are already there. Perhaps demolition is still taking place, but it just can't be seen??

Sorry this has taken a while....but here is an excellent picture by our Cartel showing exactly the 1st Stage of this classy development is going to take place.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/RodriguezOrejuela/SDC10287.jpg

You see all the historic buildings.........they are to be kept and the the new developments are going in behind them.

The density that will be created around here is going to be brilliant, not least the cleaning up and ordering of the environment.

So the Press warehouse bit is all gone.............anything else???????

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/122269225/original.jpg

Do we see any link..........???

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_01.jpg

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_02.jpg

The picture in the top right shows the taller building (apartments I think) on the old Press site.......perhaps they are going to build all of them together.

I believe The Press has ownership of one entire building......and is keen to move asap. Winter should be a busy time building for them :)

Yes, this block of the CBD will look rather good once finished - at least the taller building of the 3 will partly block out some of the ugliness of the pacific tower - though that building doesn't actually look quite as bad as i thought it was going to a year or so ago.

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_01.jpg
I hate the corrugated iron stairwell. I hate corrugated iron in general. I think it's inexcusable anywhere except roofs. And even then I hate it.

If that's grooved concrete, I hate it for looking like corrugated iron.


If I was loaded, and looking to build some mansion on the hills, I'd also buy the adjacent sections and build on them, to make sure nobody could build a big corrugated iron-walled monstrosity I'd have to look at. What is with this nation's obsession with corrugated iron?

I drove past the site today. The bit where the old press building was and the building next to it is flattened (the building next to it still has a facade). I think more buildings are going to be demolished, looking at the pictures of what it will look like. Maybe they're building them one or two at a time.

This is going to be an excellent project - Interesting idea about the glass facade being something like a digital tv screen of sorts - a first for christchurch

You think that's bad, I have lived in a house that featured a faux-corrugated iron roof :lol:, I think it was fiberglass or something... inexcusable yes

They only build one at first the new office for the Christchurch Press.

Construction is now well and truly underway on the new Press Office Building (middle building of proposed three), with a large crawler crane onsite. Below are a couple of pics taken earlier this week.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/S63DNeWQhXI/AAAAAAAAADQ/XKsGPsSE73Y/s800/IMG_2979.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/S63DOHctYsI/AAAAAAAAADU/AWAHk0PPXW0/s800/IMG_2980.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/S63DO_9beSI/AAAAAAAAADY/y5yzmL72Ip0/s800/IMG_2981.JPG

The middle building is around 8 levels. Its a shame they are using a mobile crane than a tower crane but that is fairly common for CHC. Many small buildings are built with them I guess it saves them money. Even at the airport they are using small mobile cranes. So no tower cranes in all of CHC at the moment. We will all have to wait till the Pinnacle starts before we see one go up on the skyline, fingers crossed!

I see that boards are up along much of the street. Have they started demolition on the building next to the Press Building yet?

Fantastic pictures Foxy - love the blue of the sky!

This attractive building will make a plesant change to the uglies that suround New Regent Street.........especially the one at the opposite end........I hope that gets a exterior make over very soon!

I see that boards are up along much of the street. Have they started demolition on the building next to the Press Building yet?

Fantastic pictures Foxy - love the blue of the sky!

This attractive building will make a plesant change to the uglies that suround New Regent Street.........especially the one at the opposite end........I hope that gets a exterior make over very soon!
I understand all the demo has been completed now.

Thanks, it was just a typical late-summer/autumn Christchurch day (plus may have underexposed the sky a little for effect!)

By the looks of the trucks on site today, a tower crane won't be far away here.

Tower Crane being assembled today on site. Will supply photos next week.

cool - can't wait :)

got pics of the tower crane today, upload tonight.

http://i39.tinypic.com/3025kj6.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/fbw70y.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2udys8o.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/33vzpr4.jpg

Yes I saw it going up today in the cold rain. It will be a first of this crane to adorn the CHCH skyline. It looks very new in the silver paint scheme it will almost match the grey winter skies in a coiple of months. One of the smiths workers said it will have retail on the ground and 7 office levels on top and not be leased to the Press. But to someone else he would not elaborate.

100% The Press for this bad boy. I guarantee it. :yes:

Ground floor structure visible today - some In-situ concrete, plus precast. If we get a better weather day will attempt some photos.

The crane is rather impressive, it looks like some kind of monster waiting on site for instructions...

Great stuff for Christchurch and some more density :banana::cheers:

100% The Press for this bad boy. I guarantee it. :yes:

Glad to hear that...........Jarden - you got me, well not worried, but a little perplexed :lol:

Sorry this has taken a while....but here is an excellent picture by our Cartel showing exactly the 1st Stage of this classy development is going to take place.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/RodriguezOrejuela/SDC10287.jpg

You see all the historic buildings.........they are to be kept and the the new developments are going in behind them.

The density that will be created around here is going to be brilliant, not least the cleaning up and ordering of the environment.

I've posted this as an aid to my next question/observation...

http://www.bka.com.au/projects/Comm_Indust/07055_Press-Building-Christchurch_01.jpg

This is the first building of 3. It's the shortest. It's in the middle. It's not hard up against Pacific Tower.

Has the Press Warehouse sight been cleared?

Any sign of them starting the 14 apartment block to go on it?

Would the tower crane used for the new Press Building be used for the apartment block?

I've posted this as an aid to my next question/observation...

I've walked past this building a couple of times so I'm pretty sure what I'm saying is right.

The building is hard up against Cathedral Junction, with only an alley separating them.

I hope I've quoted a picture above, but the Press building/warehouse has been demolished for some time, and the building(s) next to it, (the two white/cream buildings up to the brown one have been demolished, with just the front facade left. As I understand it, other buildings will have to be demolished to fully finish the project.

I think its unlikely the same crane will be used for any other buildings. Its on the Cathedral Junction side of the site, which is a long way away from any other sites.

I'm pretty sure that this is all correct.

^^^^^^^^I meant to quote the picture in the Davie's post from the C1 construction. The one before any demolition.

This arvo

http://i40.tinypic.com/28mgxud.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/16kuuc.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/290pvr9.jpg

I can see the crane from uni, along with the crane that is still at uni fro some reason.

wasn't that crane used for the upgrade of the old post office?

I biked in to see the press sight yesterday
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6041/presssite1.jpg
By mattbennett (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mattbennett) at 2010-05-02

Cheers for the pics guys, Gloucester st needs a REALLY good clean up, this buildings will be great but I think a lot needs to be done at street level, it's not very asthetically pleasing is it.

Cheers for the pics guys, Gloucester st needs a REALLY good clean up, this buildings will be great but I think a lot needs to be done at street level, it's not very asthetically pleasing is it.

Agree Cartel. I think Gloucester St is on the books for a good reorganising once a lot of the construction is done. Street/Garden scaping CHC inner city is vital for its renewal.

Thanks for your picture in particular Matt - it has really helped me visualise what is going where.

Keep up the good Updates guys - I can't wait to see the progress when I get home in November :banana:

From last week. I wish someone would put a building in front of the huge concrete wall of the Isaac Theatre Royal!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/S-ZvKVSqoKI/AAAAAAAAAEg/j2FuoZ9jm9E/s800/IMG_3150.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/S-ZvLwvptCI/AAAAAAAAAEk/LthGJClIjBk/s800/IMG_3151.jpg

http://www.bayleys.co.nz/images/list_img/56040/56040_02.jpg

...what's ment to be going behin the Theatre Royal - I still hope... :/

http://www.bayleys.co.nz/images/list_img/56040/56040_02.jpg

...what's ment to be going behing the Theatre Royal - I hope still... :/

Really? It looks completely souless - not much different to a car park building. I can picture the wind whipping along that huge bulky frontage and the odd person running for cover, moving past this as fast as possible.

Where did the render come from? - is it an old one?

I like it, modern and clean lines, it would be a good addition to ChCh.

I have heard that project on the Munn's site has been shelved. Also the apartment planned on the corner of salisbury and colombo sts which is a pity they both were fantastic new proposals for CHC.

Really? It looks completely souless - not much different to a car park building. I can picture the wind whipping along that huge bulky frontage and the odd person running for cover, moving past this as fast as possible.

Where did the render come from? - is it an old one?

Read the Munns thread on the CHC page - you will find the discussion we had about it there.

I have heard that project on the Munn's site has been shelved. Also the apartment planned on the corner of salisbury and colombo sts which is a pity they both were fantastic new proposals for CHC.

If you are right - then we have grott to look at the a big concret wall behind - nice.

Here is a different view of the crane half up.
http://i50.tinypic.com/10o0f92.jpg

Read the Munns thread on the CHC page - you will find the discussion we had about it there.

Thanks Davee. Actually I quite like the old Munns building (not the newer one next to it). With a classy restoration and no bells or shiney mirror glass whistles I think it could look really good again. The big block that was under consideration had its merits but I think the reality is that if it went ahead it would just suck the life out of some other part of town. I'd like to see the quality of the central city increase overall and in my opinion the best way to do that (apart from banning big boxes in the burbs) is refurbishment of existing character buildings and then once new space is required because everyone wants to be in the centre of the city again, to build new buildings that are more sympathetic to their environment.

A classic example is that dung-er of the AMP building in the Square. I'd much prefer that it was stripped back and rebuilt, than have more character buildings in the city lost by slapping in tilt-slab jobs in their place where they're not appropriate. Fixing the AMP building would be 3 steps forward and no steps back: nice new building in the Square; old eye-sore in the Square gone; bring people back to the centre of the city; no destruction of character buildings.

My favourite peeve is Ronald McDonald House on Montreal Street -- tilt slab and slapped with a coat of pink/ red paint. Its a clown of a building. Smack in the middle of beautiful old villas struggling to be done up but now less likely to be done so because they've got 10m tilt-slab looming over them and no one wants to live there any more as a result. I can't think of another city in the world that would have allowed it and Gloucester Tower to be built in that area between Montreal Street and the Park. Other cities get organised and protect areas like this and the results are spectacular. I think I lot of people in ChCh don't appreciate what we've got.:)

Thanks Davee. Actually I quite like the old Munns building (not the newer one next to it). With a classy restoration and no bells or shiney mirror glass whistles I think it could look really good again. The big block that was under consideration had its merits but I think the reality is that if it went ahead it would just suck the life out of some other part of town. I'd like to see the quality of the central city increase overall and in my opinion the best way to do that (apart from banning big boxes in the burbs) is refurbishment of existing character buildings and then once new space is required because everyone wants to be in the centre of the city again, to build new buildings that are more sympathetic to their environment.

A classic example is that dung-er of the AMP building in the Square. I'd much prefer that it was stripped back and rebuilt, than have more character buildings in the city lost by slapping in tilt-slab jobs in their place where they're not appropriate. Fixing the AMP building would be 3 steps forward and no steps back: nice new building in the Square; old eye-sore in the Square gone; bring people back to the centre of the city; no destruction of character buildings.

My favourite peeve is Ronald McDonald House on Montreal Street -- tilt slab and slapped with a coat of pink/ red paint. Its a clown of a building. Smack in the middle of beautiful old villas struggling to be done up but now less likely to be done so because they've got 10m tilt-slab looming over them and no one wants to live there any more as a result. I can't think of another city in the world that would have allowed it and Gloucester Tower to be built in that area between Montreal Street and the Park. Other cities get organised and protect areas like this and the results are spectacular. I think I lot of people in ChCh don't appreciate what we've got.:)

Yeah - I think you have summed it up quite well. It's a reall balancing act between new and old, between appreciating what is of value and what new structures and designs this generation can give to the citizens of the future.

We must stop heritage destruction......it makes me weep when you see what is lost........I think what has gone in my time.......I'm going to start crying in a second. Christchurch certainly does make some very strange and regretable decisions on buildings and styles sometimes :ohno:

What is the Gloucester Tower to be built??????????

P.S. - I think one of the greatest building crimes is the ANZ on the south side of the Square.............just horrid, horrid, horrid.

Yeah - I think you have summed it up quite well. It's a reall balancing act between new and old, between appreciating what is of value and what new structures and designs this generation can give to the citizens of the future.

We must stop heritage destruction......it makes me weep when you see what is lost........I think what has gone in my time.......I'm going to start crying in a second. Christchurch certainly does make some very strange and regretable decisions on buildings and styles sometimes :ohno:

What is the Gloucester Tower to be built??????????

Davee - we think alike. Gloucester Tower is that pink concrete thing on Gloucester St built in the 90s - 2 or 3 old villas demolished, but worse it looms over the Arts Centre and the whole historical district by the Park. It has really damaged the environment of the whole area. That developer O'Malley was behind it - think he's in jail now, or possibly just out - on one of his other quick buck schemes he finally got caught for being on the wrong side of the law.

P.S. - I think one of the greatest building crimes is the ANZ on the south side of the Square.............just horrid, horrid, horrid.

YES - absolutely. That was the worst crime of all. The United Services Hotel was spectacular - imagine how much cooler the Square would be today if that hotel was still there and was done up and operating as a boutique hotel/ bar/ restaurant again. That was really a quality building. I remember being in it many times.

What makes me weep is that we're reminded of it from so many angles. There's just about no building in ChCh as visible as that cheap pile of rubbish that is the ANZ building - from High St, Colombo St, everywhere in the Square, you name it.

Its just a turd.

The other one that just blows my mind to this day is Nazareth House.

There are some good ones left though, and good neighbourhoods, and all you can do is look forward and hope that people in the city appreciate what we have.

Actually I don't mind the ANZ bank the only problem its too small would have looked better. With a 2 level podium and a 10 level tower on top in the same style white and blue with the black section in the centre.

Regarding the AMP in the square the old AMP is now the Anothy Harper the white tower built together with Noahs hotel in the early 70's. It still looks ok to me it all was done up in the 90's. What needs a good refurb is the old Government life the green building next door. Its vacant and the owner the Carter family have said it will be re-clad as well floor by floor refurb so it can finally attract a new tennant, fingers crossed it will happen soon.

Actually I don't mind the ANZ bank the only problem its too small would have looked better. With a 2 level podium and a 10 level tower on top in the same style white and blue with the black section in the centre.

Regarding the AMP in the square the old AMP is now the Anothy Harper the white tower built together with Noahs hotel in the early 70's. It still looks ok to me it all was done up in the 90's. What needs a good refurb is the old Government life the green building next door. Its vacant and the owner the Carter family have said it will be re-clad as well floor by floor refurb so it can finally attract a new tennant, fingers crossed it will happen soon.

Oops. Yes, I meant to say Govt. Life.

Let us know if you hear more about the refurb

????? Could a new 2.2 billion dollar bank with it's headquaters in CHC be based in the second tower to be built in this development????????

Or could there be another new building somewhere else in the pipeline or a refurbishment being planned????????

It be great to have any head office of a company to build a tower in CHC but they all prefer WLG and AKL.

????? Could a new 2.2 billion dollar bank with it's headquaters in CHC be based in the second tower to be built in this development????????

Or could there be another new building somewhere else in the pipeline or a refurbishment being planned????????

It be great to have any head office of a company to build a tower in CHC but they all prefer WLG and AKL.

Jarden, do you live in New Zealand? I'm quite sure this proposed new 'local' bank will be HQ'd in the CHC city.

Hard on the heels of KiwiBank's success, three local finance institutions want to form a $2.2 billion bank headquartered in Christchurch.

Marac Finance has announced plans to merge with Canterbury Building Society and Auckland-based Southern Cross Building Society with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

Hope it goes ahead for CHC sake! If you look at under my avatar you will find your answer.

Yes - it will be very interesting to see who will occupy the second tower when it is built?

Any new updates guys or photo. I heard its up to the 2nd floor.

Any new updates guys or photo. I heard its up to the 2nd floor.

Will try and grab some snaps next week when the weather is better. They're almost up to pouring the third floor now.

Yes its going up fast, the only project with a crane in Christchurch maybe salvation army will use one on their project soon, fingers crossed.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TFKCf9naeVI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/0WGFLG3aV08/s800/IMG_3337.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TFKCgk6ixAI/AAAAAAAAAFU/2nW7ktVs9JM/s800/IMG_3340.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TFKChDJsYuI/AAAAAAAAAFY/o-39Z6iKT6c/s800/IMG_3346.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TFKCh1LxjXI/AAAAAAAAAFc/lwIuy6fyOLo/s800/IMG_3347.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TFKCiX-78_I/AAAAAAAAAFg/er15AGIpeIw/s800/IMG_3350.JPG

Oh dear. So far it doesn't look like they've been very sympathetic to the facade...

Thanks for the photos MR FOX

Photo's are great Foxy........more, more PLEASE! :)

http://www.ganellen.com/project-gallery.html

Hopefully this link will take you to some really non specific imagery for 'The Press' building.......interesting.

I didn't realise that ganellen's New Zealand Office was based in Gloucester St :)

Photo's are great Foxy........more, more PLEASE! :)

Weather is going to be average for the next week, so will wait until the sun comes out, but I can tell you they've put up another level of steel already.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3641307547_8ea2a7aafa_o.jpg

This is a previously unknown circa 1877 photograph of the second Theatre Royal on the southern side of Gloucester Street East, between Manchester and Colombo Streets. Immediately beyond it is Beatty's Palace Hotel of 1877. Designed by A. W. Simpson and built by John L. Hall of the Canterbury Opera Company, the theatre opened on the 4th of November 1876.

Built by Matthew Allen and Sons, the 1,100 seat theatre replaced an earlier building, which had begun life as the Canterbury Music Hall in 1861. To honour Alexandra, Princess of Denmark and Wales, in 1863 the music hall was renamed as the Princess Theatre, becoming the first Theatre Royal three years later.

The theatre closed in 1908, to be replaced by the extant third Theatre Royal opposite and by 1910 the Palace Hotel had been converted into a cinema and renamed as The King's Theatre. Both buildings were subsequently acquired by The Press, with the street frontages converted into shops and the upper levels renovated as the newspaper's Copy and News Rooms and production departments. Only the upper level facades and the theatre's original roof line survive.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jBNDd8VC61Y/SjviQiSazEI/AAAAAAAABuQ/lDVyCgWKDQI/theatreroyal2009L.jpg

Recently acquired by an Australian construction company as part of an eight building complex, the 1907 Press building in Cathedral Square will be renovated for use as an hotel or offices and a lane precinct created through the property to link Press Lane to the Cathedral Junction vintage tram terminus.

With work projected to commence in October 2009, the company is proposing to construct a new multi-storey building behind the facades of the Palace Hotel and the second Theatre Royal. The artist's rendition below indicates that the pediment's will be restored to their former glory and it is therefore hoped that Queen Victoria's Coat of Arms will once again grace Gloucester Street.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jBNDd8VC61Y/SjviQmQKMEI/AAAAAAAABuU/nBJSDNStdbo/theatreroyal2010.jpg

some photos from a few days ago.

http://a.imageshack.us/img202/2629/press4.jpg
By mattbennett (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mattbennett) at 2010-08-29
http://a.imageshack.us/img409/5121/press3p.jpg
By mattbennett (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mattbennett) at 2010-08-29
http://a.imageshack.us/img153/9973/press2.jpg
By mattbennett (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/mattbennett) at 2010-08-29
http://a.imageshack.us/img37/6070/press1.th.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/press1.jpg/)

The Press

Undamaged by the Canterbury quake, work is continuing on the eight-storey building that will house staff of The Press early in 2011.

In mid 2008 Ganellen purchased a seven lots in Christchurch's CBD adjacent to Cathedral Square that are collectively known as “The Press Buildings”.

The sale included the iconic heritage listed “Press Building” that has been the headquarters for Christchurch’ newspaper The Press since 1909.

Ganellen is building a new purpose-built eight-storey office tower for staff of The Press on Gloucester Street.

Once the historic Press building has been vacated, Ganellen will undertake a full internal refurbishment of the existing building resulting in a new facility capable for operation as either commercial or hotel premises.

The work is expected to be completed by March 2011.

For more information see: http://www.pressprecinct.com.

Lucky that crane not fall over in the Quake. Be nice to have a few more up around the city as the rebuild gets underway fingers crossed.

^^actually, that's one of the first things I thought of after the quake. is the crane OK? because if it fell over, it would have the potential to do a lot of damage.
look up "earthquke crane" in youtube to see what happened to the cranes on Taipei101 when an earthquake happened during its construction, and you will see why I was a little worried. it was a magnitude 6.8 according to the wikipedia page about Taipei 101.

I will try to get some photos this weekend:)

yeah I remember the Taipei 101 crane accident.

Really good to see this one coming along nicely, hope the renders are a good indication.

Theres some daylight between this and the Pacific Tower which is good, they're dont look jammed right next to each other which is what I thought they would.

Really good to see this one coming along nicely, hope the renders are a good indication.

Theres some daylight between this and the Pacific Tower which is good, they're dont look jammed right next to each other which is what I thought they would.

Thats actually the middle building going up, there will 1 either side of it if im not mistaken? Will be some nice density!!!

Coming along very nicely.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TQLdeoM24zI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ZYhVe7xVet8/s800/IMG_3876.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TQLdgKtdC9I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Vfqnkl8k3R0/s800/IMG_3883.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sHDxEoocP0k/TQLdg5JlXRI/AAAAAAAAAGU/BmRByBI1oZs/s800/IMG_3886.JPG

Has it reached the top already?

Has it reached the top already?

Yes, I count eight levels in total (two carpark)

Looking bloody great!!!!!!!!!! making good progress

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Christchurch%202010/773.jpg?t=1292596952

I can't believe how this whole area is changing. When the other two buildings go up it will be brilliant.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Christchurch%202010/826.jpg?t=1292597297

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Christchurch%202010/821.jpg?t=1292597297

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Christchurch%202010/820.jpg?t=1292597297

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/Christchurch%202010/818.jpg?t=1292597297

Crane will come down soon I reckon.

Crane will come down soon I reckon.

It came down today. Scaffolding will be down soon - then I'll get some more photos up.

My friend saw it today and said its looking real nice with the windows, it went up so quick only took about 9 months. Wonder when CHC will get another crane to adorn its skyline they are a bit thin on the ground at the moment.

Im a huge fan! :banana::banana::banana:

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/6404/press3.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/9973/press2.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6070/press1.jpg

With a quick compare against the render :)

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/2629/press4.jpg

sorry about the quality of the pics!

Can't wait for big brother and sister on either side!!

The floor plates look thiner than the render image.

The floor plates look thiner than the render image.

I think your right, didnt pay any attention when driving past, will be cool to see it lit up in winter :)

I think your right, didnt pay any attention when driving past, will be cool to see it lit up in winter :)

You're both right, they've done away with the suspended ceilings for the first 1m back from the glass facade, giving the illusion of very thin floors - very cool. The weather is good tomorrow, so i promise to take some photos.

That blank wall on the eastern side looks grim. I hope the building on that side eventuates one day. Has anyone heard a commitment that it will actually get built?

Something separate: Someone I know used to be a tenant in the old Press Building. Scaremongering I'm sure, but he claimed it suffered serious damage on boxing day and the Press Building is a goner. That can't be true, can it? It sounds like nonsense to me.

Something separate: Someone I know used to be a tenant in the old Press Building. Scaremongering I'm sure, but he claimed it suffered serious damage on boxing day and the Press Building is a goner. That can't be true, can it? It sounds like nonsense to me.


GLENN CONWAY -The Press

Owners of The Press building have dismissed speculation it could be demolished after the newspaper company moves out next month.

Construction company Ganellen said yesterday rumours that it was considering knocking down the 102-year-old Cathedral Square building to replace it with a high-rise hotel were incorrect.

The firm said it wanted to further strengthen the building before marketing it.

Ganellen's New Zealand director Michael Doig said "we know what the building means to the city".

The company saw value in retaining the building.

Last year, it commissioned an analysis of the building which created a computer model of the structure and different earthquake strengthening models that could be used.

The building was damaged then strengthened after the Canterbury earthquake and some strengthening repairs were done after the Boxing Day aftershocks.

Last week, Ganellen filed a draft resource consent for a "commercial refurbishment" of the property to create what Doig called "an A-grade commercial building".

Ganellen has almost finished work on a new Gloucester St building that will house The Press staff.

Fantastic pictures Brisol - don't worry about the quality, it's great to see some shots of the place. The whole street scape will change once the other two buildings go up on the other side. I would hope they would do some work on the actual street itself, something like Hereford...

I can't wait to see what the place will look like at night - and like has already been said - in the winter...

Yeah liking the pictures Brisol, thanks for posting. :cheers:

Im surprised how good its looking, I havent been down that way in a couple of weeks. Amazing to see how its changed in such a short amount of time.

I have a few recent pictures before the earthquake. But can't figure out how to upload them here?

I have a few recent pictures before the earthquake. But can't figure out how to upload them here?

I don't think you can

You need to host them somewhere else online and link to them

how did this building go in the quake? I would expect it to be ok, but who knows considering the state of some others.

I suppose the other two might go up rather quickly since the space will be needed.

That sucks... oh well i'll try this >>>

http://img8.imageshack.us/i/310120111937.jpg/

http://img696.imageshack.us/i/310120111938.jpg/

http://img576.imageshack.us/i/080220111948.jpg/

It's still standing however some of those glass panes have shattered and the old facade at the bottom has a few decent cracks through it. I'll try and upload a photo later.

I have a few recent pictures before the earthquake. But can't figure out how to upload them here?

Find a host site - photobucket or flickr and then you can upload here.

Welcome anyway Mintberry Crunch - look forward to your photo's and posts.

Or Tinypic, if you don't want to make an account..

Test run >>>

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/Mintberry_Crunch3/Architecture/310120111937.jpg

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/Mintberry_Crunch3/Architecture/310120111937.jpg

few more

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/Mintberry_Crunch3/Architecture/080220111948.jpg

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/Mintberry_Crunch3/Architecture/310120111938.jpg

And here's what it looks like after the February 22/2011 earthquake.

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/Mintberry_Crunch3/Architecture/183242_10150098199867894_583297893_6355847_894433_n.jpg

This is not my picture.

Has it got a red sticker?

So sad to see the damage!!! i hope it can be restored. The older elements of the building seen to have suffered substantial damage.

I would guess that it would be red stickered until they remove the damaged historic façade.
Broken glass is usually just cosmetic I think, and not structural.

I would guess that it would be red stickered until they remove the damaged historic façade.
Broken glass is usually just cosmetic I think, and not structural.

You're quite correct, the only damage to the building is the glass (safety glass and not a threat unless you fall out the hole!) and the retained heritage facade. I think the developers will think twice before bothering to keep the facade next time!

Good to hear from you Foxy!

Some good news regarding the new press building.
The damaged heritage facade of the New Press Building was removed in July and over the months they have rebuilt a new facade out of concrete that looks exactly like the old heritage facade, it looks very authentic.

Not sure if this link will work but it shows a series of photos of the facade replacement, check it out
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.200674496674988.48118.132340030175102&type=1

Just looked at those pics and they have done a great job on rebuilding the facade:) "looks great" and just as good as before.

This is really good to see :-)

Does anyone know when this development will be re opened. I thought this development was supposed to contain a laneway, with bars etc.

Does anyone know when this development will be re opened. I thought this development was supposed to contain a laneway, with bars etc.

I think it's fair to say the laneways are off! The Press Building has been demolished! As have the other character buildings around it. It would be a lane through open space at this time or, if new buildings are built, through concrete alleys. In my view the laneway idea here couldn't be rejuvenated without the character element, which is of course gone now.

This is in the heart of the city - i.e. the heart of the red zone, so that means there has been no public access for a very long time, and concrete plans for what will be there in the future may be a long time off. Geotech reports, finding investors, etc. It could be a great vege garden in the meantime!

Local Investors Buy Press Precinct In Chch Inner City (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00245/local-investors-buy-press-precinct-in-chch-inner-city.htm)

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/1209/322c0333cb531d83fd9e.jpeg

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/1209/11971132e4798b08dbf5.jpeg

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/1209/f05d121eeaf49b4f4779.jpeg